Studies of fruit shape in apples: a survey of factors influencing the development of 'typiness' of the cultivar Red Delicious

Abstract

Studies were made on the effects of inherited factors, (scions and rootstocks) and field factors, (districts and climates) on the 'typiness' of Red Delicious apples produced in fruit growing districts of the eastern and western coasts of Australia. 'Typey' fruit is that which has pronounced calyx lobes and which attracts premium prices at market. Richared, Royal Red and Starkrimson cultivars were far more 'typey' than the common Red Delicious, whereas Hi-Early and Royden Red were inferior in this respect. Rootstocks had little effect on 'typiness'. The districts of Orange and Batlow in New South Wales produced the most 'typey' fruit. The extent to which 'typiness' was developed in the fruit was related to mean air temperature in the period of seven days following full bloom.