SPA440

Apple

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Royal Gala', 'Splendour', 'Ambrosia' and 'Fuji BC2'

Summary: 'SPA440' is an apple variety which has a very late flowering date and very late harvest date, after 'Ambrosia' and before 'Fuji BC2'. The fruit of 'SPA440' are larger than the fruit of 'Royal Gala' and 'Ambrosia', with a globose conical shape, whereas 'Fuji BC2' has ellipsoid conical shaped fruit. 'SPA440' has a longer, thinner fruit stalk than all the reference varieties. There is a higher amount of overcolour on the fruit of 'SPA440' than on 'Ambrosia' and 'Fuji BC2'. The overcolour on 'SPA440' is a blush, whereas 'Royal Gala' and 'Fuji BC2' have blushed and streaked overcolour, with also some flecking on 'Royal Gala'.

Description:

TREE: intermediate to vigorous vigour, upright to spreading habit
BRANCHES: high frequency, intermediate strength, <90 degree angle to the trunk, predominance of fruit bearing on spurs
ONE YEAR OLD SHOOTS: weak pubescence on upper half, strong shine of the bark, weak to medium flexibility, medium to many small to medium sized lenticels, purple on sunny side
LATERAL BUD: medium sized, pointed tip, adpressed position relative to axis, medium sized bud support

SHOOT TIP LEAF: green growing tip, concave shape in cross section, absent or very weak pubescence on upper side, green lower side
LEAF: no lobing, large size, upward orientation, medium length/width ratio, acuminate to cuspidate apex, crenate margin, weak to medium glossiness on upper side, medium pubescence on lower side, medium to strong anthocyanin colouration of veins, dark green upper side, weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration on upper side
STIPULE: medium size

FLOWER: very late bud burst, late beginning of flowering, medium pink to white bud in full balloon stage, green pedicel, single type
PETAL: ovate to oblong shape, overlapping margins, medium pink to white on upper and lower side,

FRUIT: large to very large size, globose conical shape, symmetric side view, weak ribbing, medium degree of crowning at distal end, good yield, late to very late maturity
EYE: aperture of eye half opened, medium sized
SEPAL: persistent, medium length, free to touching at base
EYE BASIN: deep, medium width
STALK: thin, very long
STALK CAVITY: shallow to medium depth, medium width
FRUIT SKIN: smooth, moderate bloom, waxy and translucent, medium thickness, yellow ground colour when mature, high to very high dark red to purple blush overcolour, low amount of russet on cheeks, medium to large sized slightly prominent lenticels
FRUIT FLESH: greenish to yellowish, medium distinctness of core line, closed aperture of locules, moderate browning tendency, very firm, coarse to intermediate texture, medium to juicy
SEED: dark brown, normal shape

Origin & Breeding History: 'SPA440' is the result of a cross between 'Splendour' and 'Gala' made in 1981 at the Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre, Summerland, British Columbia. The material from the seedling was propagated on M26 rootstock and a resulting tree was given the breeders reference number 8S-26-10. In 1992 evaluation began upon fruiting. Selection criteria included fruit appearance, taste, flesh texture, tree quality, productivity and precocity. Upon selection for further testing the selection was designated 'SPA440' in 1997.

Tests & Trials: Trials were conducted by Okanagan Plant Improvement Corporation during the summer and fall of 2004 at the Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada, Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre in Summerland, British Columbia. 'SPA440', 'Royal Gala', 'Ambrosia' and 'Fuji BC2' were grown on M9 rootstalks with 'Splendour' on M26 rootstalk.

Comparison tables for 'SPA440' with reference varieties 'Royal Gala', 'Splendour', 'Ambrosia' and 'Fuji BC2'

Leaf length (mm)

Leaf width (mm)

Petiole length (mm)

Click on image for larger view

Apple: 'SPA440' (top right) with reference varieties 'Splendour' (top left), 'Ambrosia' (top centre), 'Royal Gala' (bottom centre) and 'Fuji BC2' (bottom right)