New WA-2 Apple From Washington

After 15 years, the Washington State University (WSU) apple breeding program, based at the Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center in the nation’s “Apple Capital” of Wenatchee, has released its first apple cultivar. According to WSU, the apple, currently known as “WA 2,” was released because of its outstanding eating quality, appearance, productivity, and potential to be a successful cultivar in Washington state. Its parents are Splendour and Gala, and the breeder was Bruce Barritt. The editor of Western Fruit Grower, David Eddy, e-mailed a list of questions about the apple to Tom Auvil, the research horticulturist who is managing the Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission’s plant material evaluations.

Q: Why the name “WA 2?” Was there a “WA 1?”

A:WSU has a long code that identifies its parents and location in the seedling orchard. They created a short code system for varieties advancing in the evaluation process. The short codes are still used as they are commercialized to minimize the confusion. WA 1 did not advance. The next selection will have a higher number but still single digit.

Q: While I’ve heard of this apple through the years, it seems to me the development has been kept fairly quiet. Is that my imagination, or have you kept the development on the quiet side?

A: The primary component of stealth is protecting intellectual property. Not very much can be publicly disclosed. The industry members assisting with evaluation have signed confidentiality agreements. Not only is genetic science advancing quickly to assist breeders to make decisions based on data, but very observant breeders can make very smart choices. WA 2 is only 14 years from being seed. Our goal is to thoroughly evaluate elite selections so that much of the harvest, shelflife, storage, and consumer acceptance information is known by the time a variety is patented and released. A significant number of industry members are in the “elite selection” information loop looking at the trees at the trial sites and sampling fruit periodically through the winter.

Q: I was surprised to learn this was WSU’s first variety because when I think of apples, I naturally think of Washington. Even Minnesota has had a couple. How come this is WSU’s first?

A:Washington started the breeding program in 1994, so it is young. Many varieties being used in Washington state have come from elsewhere: Red Delicious (Indiana), Golden Delicious (West Virginia), Granny Smith (Australia/New Zealand), Gala (New Zealand), Cripps Pink (Australia), Fuji (Japan), Honeycrisp (Minnesota), Jonagold (New York). The same is true for Malling rootstocks (England), Geneva rootstocks (New York), 1-MCP (North Carolina), packing line sizers and color sorters (New Zealand and Europe), and irrigation products (Israel). It appears we are best at implementation/integration.

Q: Is this intended to be grown exclusively in Washington? Can growers in other states plant it? If so, what additional fees would they have to pay? If not, why not? Is it to cap production at a certain level?

A: The commercialization concept for WA 2 is to provide benefit for the growers of Washington state who have supported the development of the variety. Only Washington growers paying assessments for research can get an evaluation agreement. Only growers with evaluation agreements can acquire a commercial license to plant trees and grow fruit for sale.

Q: Can any commercial grower in Washington participate in evaluation?

A: Any assessment paying commercial grower can participate in evaluation and must obtain an evaluation agreement in order to commercially grow fruit of WA 2.

Q: I don’t understand how you charge a royalty at time of planting, but royalties are based on previous years’ production. How can growers have previous years’ production if they haven’t planted yet?

A: The Washington Department of Agriculture monitors the shipment of apples by variety. There are production benchmarks that must be surpassed to increase the royalty for planting / grafting WA 2. Currently the benchmark is zero boxes shipped so the royalty for planting in 2011 (and 2012, 2013…) will be $1000 per acre. The spring following the shipment of 250,000 boxes the royalty will increase to $2000 per acre. The royalties are one time only and payable in the year of planting/grafting. The other production benchmarks are 500,000 boxes shipped, 1 million boxes shipped, and 5 million boxes shipped. There will be a non-profit management entity to look after the details of the royalties and licenses. The goal of the stepped royalty scheme is to allow the early adopters a little more time to benefit from the planting of the variety. Of course it is hoped that the industry has progressed enough that everyone recognizes that no variety will move forward with out investment in name, promotion, perhaps trademarks and trademark licenses.

Q: What’s the most outstanding characteristic of the fruit that a consumer would love?

A: WA 2 is reaching its highest dessert quality at the end of February in regular storage conditions. It is a low-ethylene apple with a long shelflife. Its high Brix and aromatic traits are just now becoming apparent. It has off the tree crunch and juiciness.

Q: What’s the most outstanding characteristic of the tree that a grower would love?

A: It has more than just one:
It does not mildew, bitter-pit, or sunburn like Jonagold or Honeycrisp.
It does not tend to over-set like Cameo or Fuji. It is not a wild growing tree; it has a semi-compact growth habit. Some would consider it columular, similar to Ambrosia.

Q: Will this variety be given a more consumer-friendly, i.e. “catchy” name? When? How will it be selected?

A:The industry advisory council felt that the growers, packers, and marketers who are investing in the variety should have the voice in these fundamental commercialization issues. Those who have “skin in the game” from planting the variety will be attentive to the naming/branding/promotional activity and merchandizing.

Q: Is there anything else that growers should be aware of?

A:Over the next 10 years, we anticipate WSU releasing five to 10 new selections. There will be no exclusivity for propagation. Any licensed nursery with a certified virus-free scion block will be able to grow trees after acquiring a license. Growers will be allowed to grow or graft their own trees.