BEL-EL

Apple

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Daliest'

Summary: The fruit colour of 'Bel-El' is slightly darker than that of 'Daliest' as it is ripening and in final colour. The skin finish of 'Bel-El' is less shiny than that of 'Daliest'. A high percentage of the fruit of 'Bel-El' have a closed eye whereas this is not the case in 'Daliest'.

Description:

TREE: medium strong vigour, predominance of bearing on spurs, upright-spreading growth habit
ONE-YEAR OLD SHOOT: medium to thick, medium density of pubescence on upper half of shoot, medium number of lenticels

LEAF: upwards-outwards attitude in relation to shoot, large size, medium length/width ratio, strong glossiness on upper surface, medium pubecence on lower surface, long petiole

FLOWER: white with light blue pink (RHS 62C) at balloon stage, medium diameter, begins flowering late in season

FRUIT: medium to large size, global conical shape, asymmetric in side view, very weak ribbing, weak crowning at distal end, mainly closed aperture of eye, medium-sized eye, long sepals, touching sepals at base, medium distinctness of core line through locules, closed aperture of locules in transverse section, mid-season eating maturity
FRUIT SKIN: bumpy relief of surface, no glaucosity, greasiness present, no tendency to cracking, medium thickness, yellow ground colour, low amount of russet around stalk cavity, absent or very weak amount of russet on cheeks and around eye basin, medium-sized lenticels
OVERCOLOUR: high to very high amount, red solid flush
STALK: long, medium to thick
STALK CAVITY: deep, medium to broad width
EYE BASIN: medium depth and width
FRUIT FLESH: absent or very weak browning of the flesh one hour after being cut, soft to medium firmness, cream colour, medium texture, juicy

Origin & Breeding History: 'Bel-El' was discovered in about 1980 as a sport mutation of the variety, 'Elstar' in a cultivated orchard in Rummen, Belgium. Cuttings were made from the mutation and reproduced by grafting. Observation over generations has been consistent with those characteristics first observed in 1990. 'Bel-El' was selected for its harvest maturity and fruit colour.

Tests & Trials: The detailed description is based on the UPOV report of Technical Examination, reference number AFP 9/159, application number AFP 9/159, grant number BE956, purchased from the Plant Variety Rights Office, United Kingdom. The trials were conducted by the Plant Variety Rights Office at Brogdale, National Fruit Collections, Wye College, University of London, United Kingdom in 1990 to 1992.

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Apple: 'Bel-El'

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Apple: 'Bel-El'