Cornell University's School of Integrative Plant Science Geneva Apple Rootstock Program is collaborating with Brandt's Fruit Trees to trial Story on the newest Geneva rootstocks.
Twenty first century apple growers face the same challenges as their predecessors: pressure to reduce the cost of inputs, improve yields, and to grow sustainably. Under the guidance of Dr. Gennaro Fazio and Dr. Terence Robinson, the Geneva program continues to research and develop new rootstock cultivars to meet these needs. Earlier this year, the team released their newest selections; Geneva® 484, Geneva® 257, and Geneva® 66. Additionally, the program has launched an online tool to help growers match a rootstock from their large portfolio with traits complimentary to the characteristics or needs of their scion. The tool is rich with data points including nutrient uptake, productivity, vigor, growing area, and heat unit variations.
While travelling in Europe, Dr. Fazio became interested in the Story® Inored apple selection, a variety with disease resistant qualities released by the Novadi Corporation and sold in the United States under license by Brandt's Fruit Trees, LLC. He approached Brandt's Fruit Trees about the possibility of trialling Story on the newest Geneva rootstocks, and some yet to be released selections. Noting the attractive colouration, enjoyable eating experience and scab tolerance of the variety, he believes combining Story with disease-resistant Geneva rootstock is a great fit and would provide value to the U.S. eastern growing districts.
Cornell University's School of Integrative Plant Science started the Geneva Apple Rootstock Program in 1968 and in 1998, became a joint breeding program with the United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service. Develop new dwarfing rootstocks with favourable traits including disease resistance, cold hardiness, and increased productivity. Over the course of 55 years, the program has released 33 unique selections. Today, more than 70 million trees worldwide are being grown on Geneva rootstocks.
Kevin Brandt of Brandt's Fruit Trees stated, "We are honoured to have the opportunity to participate in this exciting trial, and we believe the Story Inored apple selection in conjunction with the excellent qualities of the Geneva rootstock will bring great value to the U.S. apple industry." Test trees were built at Sierra Gold Nursery in California and distributed to growers for site testing and evaluation in New York state this spring. The tests are ongoing and data is currently being collected, with results to be incorporated into the program's online rootstock selection tool.
For more information:
Kevin Brandt
Brandt's Fruit Trees, LLC
Tel: +1 509-248-4315
[email protected]
www.brandtsfruittrees.com