Nevson

Apple

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Gala'

Summary: The fruit of 'Nevson' are cylindrical waisted in shape whereas the fruit of 'Gala' are ovoid. The fruit of 'Nevson' have a yellow green ground colour with a light orange red medium-sized overcolour whereas the fruit of 'Gala' have a yellow ground colour with a dark red very large overcolour. Harvest maturity of 'Nevson' is approximately 30 days later than that of 'Gala'.

Description:

TREE: medium vigour, ramified, spreading growth habit, bearing on spurs only
ONE-YEAR OLD SHOOT: medium thickness, dark brown on sunny side, dense pubescence on distal half of shoot, many lenticels

LEAF: upwards attitude in relation to shoot, medium length/width ratio, dark green, bicrenate margin on upper half, medium pubescence on lower side
PETIOLE: medium extent of anthocyanin colouration at base

FLOWER: predominantly white at balloon stage, large diameter with petals pressed into horizontal position, free arrangement of petals, stigma positioned at the same level as anthers, begins flowering mid-season

YOUNG FRUIT: absent or very small extent of anthocyanin overcolour
FRUIT: medium to large size, very small height/diameter ratio, cylindrical waisted shape, absent or weak ribbing, strong crowning at calyx end, large eye, short sepals, very late harvest maturity and late eating maturity
FRUIT SKIN: absent or weak glaucosity, absent or weak greasiness, yellow green ground colour, medium size area of solid light orange red flush overcolour with weakly defined narrow stripes, large area of russet around stalk attachment, absent or small area of russet on cheeks and around eye basin, many medium sized lenticels
STALK: medium thickness
STALK CAVITY: deep, medium width
EYE BASIN: deep and broad
FRUIT FLESH: very firm, cream colour, moderately open aperture of locules in transverse section

Origin & Breeding History: 'Nevson' arose from the controlled pollination between 'Gala' as the seed parent and 'Hawkes Bay Red Delicious' as the pollen parent. The initial cross was made in 1983 at Alexandra, New Zealand on the property of Southern Trees Limited. It was selected in 1987, with further plants being produced through subsequent vegetative propagation. The main selection criteria was to produce a variety suitable for local growing conditions.

Tests & Trials: The tests and trials for 'Nevson' were conducted at Prospect Road, Berwick, Nova Scotia during the 2009 growing season. A minimum of 10 trees were planted of both the candidate and reference varieties. Trees were spaced 1.23 metres apart in the rows and planted 4.5 metres apart between rows. The trees were planted in 2006 on M26 rootstock.

Comparison tables for 'Nevson' with reference variety 'Gala'

Fruit: height (mm)

Fruit: diameter (mm)

Fruit: length of stalk (mm)

Click on image for larger view

Apple: 'Nevson' (left) with reference variety 'Gala' (right)