Israel Tests New Exotic Apple Varieties for Future Cultivation
Israel is embarking on a significant initiative to introduce novel, exotic apple varieties, aiming to revitalize the local fruit market and offer consumers superior quality produce. Experimental trials have commenced on a nine-dunam plot in Kibbutz El-Rom, located in the northern Golan Heights. These trials are crucial for assessing the adaptability and characteristics of new apple types.
Eyal Yonai, a researcher at MIGAL, the applied research arm of Tel Hai University in Kiryat Shmona, and a member of the "apple table" of the Plant Production and Marketing Board, emphasized the importance of this stage. He explained that large batches of 50 trees per variety are planted to ensure successful adaptation. "The idea is to test the varieties, ensure they meet all the parameters we are looking for, and then distribute as many of them as possible to farms," Yonai stated, highlighting that this method allows for a deeper understanding of differences and acclimatization to the local climate.
The selection process has been ongoing for about a decade. Out of 40 initially tested options, only a select few have reached the final stage, meeting stringent requirements for taste, yield, crisp texture, and resistance to climate change and diseases such as scab and powdery mildew. Prominent contenders include the Australian Bravo, known for its dark red color, the early-ripening Crimson Crisp, the American Sweet Tango, and the French patented varieties Inogo and Inobi.
Yonai expressed his personal preferences, noting, "In my opinion, the tastiest is Zingy, followed by Inogo." The introduction of these new varieties could potentially lead to the displacement of older, traditional types like Jonathan, Orleans, and Anna, which have become mealy or lost their color due to climate and storage challenges. This program, funded by the Ministry of Agriculture's chief scientist, is designed to significantly update Israel's fruit offerings with more resilient and flavorful options.
