KAR4

Apple

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Novamac' and 'McIntosh'

Summary: The one year old shoots of 'KAR4' are thicker than 'Novamac' and 'McIntosh'. 'KAR4' has a wider leaf than 'Novamac' and longer and wider leaf than 'McIntosh'. The fruit of 'KAR4' are slightly smaller than the reference varieties. 'KAR4' flowers earlier and is ready for harvesting earlier than the reference varieties.

Description:

TREE: strong vigour, ramified, upright habit, bearing on spurs and long shoots
ONE-YEAR OLD SHOOT: thick, medium internode length, medium brown to reddish brown colour, moderate pubescence, few lenticels

LEAF: upwards attitude in relation to shoot, medium length/width ratio, medium green intensity, type 1 serrate margin on upper half, medium pubescence on lower side
PETIOLE: medium anthocyanin colouration at base

FLOWER: dark pink bud in balloon stage, intermediate arrangement of petals, stigma below anthers, early beginning of flowering

FRUIT: small to medium anthocyanin overcolour on young fruit, small to medium size, medium height/diameter ratio, obloid, absent or weak ribbing, moderate crowning at calyx end, early harvest and eating maturity, medium length sepal, small eye, aperture of locules in transverse section are fully opened
EYE BASIN: medium depth and width
STALK: thick, medium length
STALK CAVITY: medium depth and width
FRUIT SKIN: moderate glaucosity, absent or very weak greasiness, yellow green ground colour, moderate area of solid red flush with weakly defined narrow stripes of red over colour, medium area of russet around stalk attachment, absent or small area of russet on cheeks and around eye basin, medium number of medium sized lenticels
FRUIT FLESH: medium firmness, cream colour, moderate browning one hour after being cut with a stainless steel knife, low percentage of total sugars in fruit juice

DISEASE RESISTANCE: moderately resistant to mildew (Podosphaera leucotricha), resistant to Scab (Venturia inaequalis)

INSECT RESISTANCE: susceptible to Apple maggot (Rhagoletis pomonella), moderately susceptible to Codling moth (Laspeyresia pomonella)

Origin & Breeding History: 'KAR4', previously known as 'S47-20-37' originated from the cross between 'PaulaRed' and 'Novamac' made in 1978 at the Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada Kentville Research Station, Kentville, Nova Scotia. The resultant fruit were collected, their seeds dried and stored for approximately one month then placed in stratification media. Those seed which germinated were grown and screened for susceptibility to apple scab. Resistant seedlings were kept and cared for in an extensive management approach. It was propagated on MM.106 rootstock and six trees were planted in a research trial in 1995 at the Kentville Research Station.

Tests & Trials: Tests and trials were conducted at the Atlantic Food & Horticulture Reseach Centre, Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada, Kentville, Nova Scotia during the summer/fall of 2008. There were 7 trees of each variety with spacing of 3.5 meters between trees within the row and 5 meters between the rows.

Comparison tables for 'KAR4' with reference varieties 'Novamac' and 'McIntosh'

Leaf length (cm)

Leaf width (cm)

Fruit height (cm)

Fruit diameter (cm)

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Apple: 'KAR4' (left) with reference varieties 'Novamac' (centre) and 'McIntosh' (right)

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Apple: 'KAR4' (left) with reference varieties 'Novamac' (centre) and 'McIntosh' (right)

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Apple: 'KAR4' (left) with reference varieties 'Novamac' (centre) and 'McIntosh' (right)