Federal State

Baden-Wurttemberg

Project Title

Selection and development of frost-tolerant apple and pear varieties to avoid frost injuries in organic fruit growing

Project description

Global warming has led to early flowering of apple and pear. For this reason the risk of frost injuries during flowering has increased dramatically. Meanwhile every second year is affected by frost injuries. Mostly the currently cultivated varieties are suceptible for frost damages (for example Jonagold as triploid or Topaz as early flowering genotype). Therefore the aims of the project are:

1. Selection of frost tolerant apple and pear varieties at different locations (reserach stations, gene banks, private owners of landscape varieties)

2. Selection of suitable varieties for organic farming and cultivation of these in test sites with high risks of frost injuries

3. Breeding of late flowering new varieties by using the evaluated genetic material and marker assisted selection. Creation of high quality varieties for sustainable growing of apple and pears under new climatic conditions.

Final report

Results and the Final report will be found here, as soon as the project is completed.

Results focusing on practiceorientation

Fast composition of a collection of late flowering apple and pear varieties on the participating farms by using data from literature research, variety trials and surveys at advisors and owners of landscape varieties.

Medium term recommendation of varieties for table fruit production.

Long term recommendation of varieties for landscape owners and juice producers.

Long term development of new apple and pear varieties with good adaption to new climatic conditions by breeding and using marker assisted selection.

Security for growers in fruitproduction by using frost tolerant varieties and continuous supply for marketers and the processing of juice production.

Main funding source

Rural development 2014-2020

Project status

ongoing

Total budget applied for in EUR

429,690

NUTS3 CODE

DE119