Scifresh

Apple

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Fuji BC2' and 'Braeburn'

Summary: 'Scifresh' is a mid to late season apple variety that differs from 'Fuji BC2' and 'Braeburn' in the amount and colour of the overcolour on the fruit. 'Scifresh' has a larger area of overcolour than either of the reference varieties. The overcolour of 'Scifresh' is bright orange red, whereas it is darker red in 'Fuji BC2' and 'Braeburn'. 'Scifresh' also has fewer and smaller lenticels on the fruit skin than the reference varieties. In the Okanagan valley, 'Scifresh' matures more than one week before 'Braeburn' and more than two weeks before 'Fuji BC2'.

Description:

TREE: medium vigour, ramified, upright to spreading habit, fruit bearing on spurs only
ONE-YEAR OLD SHOOT: medium thickness, medium internode, very strong pubescence, many lenticels, reddish brown to dark brown on sunny side

MATURE LEAF: outwards orientation, dark green, serrate margins, medium pubescence on lower side, small extent of anthocyanin colouration from base

FLOWER: single, white and red purple bud in balloon stage, petal margins intermediate between free and overlapping, stigmas at same level as anthers

FRUIT: medium size, globose to conical shape, asymmetric in side view, no ribbing, moderate crowning at calyx end, medium eye, long sepals, medium to late maturity
EYE BASIN: medium to deep, medium in width
FRUIT STALK: medium thickness, short to medium length, deep and moderately broad stalk cavity
FRUIT SKIN: moderate bloom, moderate to strong greasiness, yellow green ground colour, very large area of medium intensity orange red overcolour, overcolour pattern of solid flush with weakly defined stripes, very small amount or no russet, few small to medium sized lenticels
FRUIT FLESH: yellowish, very firm, fully open aperture of locules, strong browning tendency one hour after cutting

Origin & Breeding History: The variety 'Scifresh'was selected from a population of seedlings derived from crossing the apple varieties 'Braeburn' and 'Royal Gala' in 1985. The selection was carried out at Havelock North, New Zealand. The selection criteria were distinctive and attractive appearance, eating quality, crispness and storage ability of the fruit, and vigour and thriftiness of the plant. After 'Scifresh' was selected from the seedling population in 1990, it was increased by the asexual propagation methods of budding and grafting.

Tests & Trials: Trials for 'Scifresh' were conducted at the Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Summerland, B.C. during 2005 and 2006. The trials consisted of a minimum of 6 trees of the each variety, planted in a test block. Trees of all varieties were on M.9 rootstocks. Measured characteristics were based on a minimum of 10 measurements.

Comparison tables for 'Scifresh' with reference varieties 'Fuji BC2' and 'Braeburn'

Leaf length (mm)

Leaf width (mm)

Fruit height (mm)

Fruit diameter (mm)

Click on image for larger view

Apple: 'Scifresh' (top left) with reference varieties 'Braeburn' (top right) and 'Fuji BC2' (bottom centre)