Scab immune columnar and triploid apple cultivars of VNIISPK breeding

Immunity to scab must be one of the components of the characteristics of intensive cultivars, as in the modern world there is a constant struggle for improving the environmental safety of agricultural products. Precocious cultivars with a compact crown and a stable (annual) yield are necessary for modern production, and the columnar shape of the apple tree fully meets these requirements. In connection with this, breeding for columnar scab immune apple cultivars is not only justified, but also very relevant. Besides, it is known that the optimal apple ploidy is at the level of the triple set of chromosomes (3x). Therefore, the creation of immune triploid columnar cultivars is a breakthrough direction of breeding. At the VNIISPK, work on the creation of columnar varieties has been conducted since 1984, immune varieties since 1977 and triploid varieties since 1970. The purpose of these studies was to combine in one genome genes responsible for immunity to scab, columnar habit , as well as obtaining columnar cultivars with a triple set of chromosomes and having immunity to scab. The studies were conducted in the orchards and laboratories of the VNIISPK. The results of the long-term work (1984-2017) on columnar apple breeding are given. Scab immune columnar apple cultivars (Priokskoye, Vostorg, Poezia, Girlianda, Orlovskaya Yesenia, Zvezda Efira and Sozvezdie) as well as a series of promising seedlings that combine scab immunity (Vf) and columnar habit (Co) have been created at the VNIISPK. All of the columnar cultivars meet the up-to-date requirements. Along with the immunity they are characterized by high winter hardiness (sufficient for Central and Central-Chernozem regions), precocity, productivity and good fruit appearance and taste. Breeding work is carried out to obtain genotypes with more stable immunity on a polygenic basis (combination of Vf, V_r and V_m genes). A series of columnar hybrids that combine a triple set of chromosomes and immunity to scab in a genotype has been obtained. Their further study will open new perspectives in breeding for columnar habit of apple trees and accelerate the introduction of columnar apples in industrial gardening.

яблоня, колонновидная форма яблони, селекция иммунитет, сорта, урожайность, apple, columnar habit of apple trees, breeding, immunity, cultivars, productivity