Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
5
Apples
John Golding and Jenny Jobling
Apples are one of the success stories of agriculture. They
have been eaten and cultivated since the early days of
civilisation and are now grown and enjoyed around the
world. The apple is known for its special traits such as
juiciness, crispness, flavour and visual appeal. It is also
quite unique in that it has a relatively long postharvest life.
The genetic potential of apples both in terms of quality and
storability has enabled mankind to develop technologies
and methods for growing and using apples that enable apples
to be available year round. This development continues
today with apples becoming to be a major crop throughout
the world; indeed, nearly 60 million tonnes of apple fruit
were produced around the world in 2005 (Table 5.1).
The apple is classified as a pome fruit and is a member
of the Rosaceae family (Westwood 1993). However, the
specific origin and ancestry of the modern apple
Malus
x
domestica
Borkh. complex remain unknown. When the
apple was first described in 1803, it was believed to have
developed as a hybrid derived from
Malus sylvestris
(L.)
Mill.,
M. dasyphyllus
Borkh. and
M. praecox
(Pall.) Bork.
Recently, however,
M. sieversii
(Ledeb.) M. Roem., which
is widespread in the mountains of central Asia, has been
hypothesized as the key species in its origin (Luby 2003).
During the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries,
M.
x
domestica
varieties from Europe, Russia, North America,
New Zealand, Japan and Australia were introduced
throughout the world and form the basis for most current
commercial apple production (Luby 2003).
In 1826 the Royal Horticultural Society of England
recognized at least 1200 different varieties of apples.
This diversity of apple varieties was reflected in the
range of harvesting dates of each variety, where apples
were harvested and marketed in sequence 1-2 weeks apart
for many months. This sequential harvesting of different
varieties extended the market window for apples to
consumers. However, in the twentieth century, this
marketing system and the range of varieties changed
dramatically as growers installed refrigerated cool rooms,
where apples could be stored at low temperatures for many
months. This allowed for a longer marketing periods of up
to 6-8 months after harvest.
During the 1960s, another technical revolution occurred
with the introduction of more advanced cool storage
techniques (including controlled atmosphere storage)
matched with superior strains of the 'Red Delicious' variety.
This combination allowed for marketing of apples over
12 months. At this time many of the older varieties
disappeared from the commercial scene. Although 'Red
Delicious' is still the most commonly planted variety
worldwide, it is being replaced by newer varieties such as
'Gala', 'Fuji', 'Braeburn' and 'Cripps Pink' ('Pink Lady™'),
as apple breeders seek to tempt consumers with new tastier
and more colourful varieties. In addition, the recent intro-
duction of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) into the supply
chain may again change world apple storage and marketing.
A special mention of Chinese apple production must
also be made. Apple production in China is huge, with 20
million tonnes in 2005, accounting for over one-third of
all world apple production (Table 5.1). The Chinese market
is dominated by the 'Fuji' apple variety that accounts for
