Biological properties of some autochthonous apple genotypes from the ex situ collection of Fruit Research Institute - Čačak

The paper presents the main biological properties of 10 ex situ apple genotypes: 'Bihorka', 'Budimka', 'Kraljica', 'Ovčiji Nos', 'Petrovača-1', 'Strekinja', 'Šimun Viparoš Struga', 'Šumnjaja', 'Tip 1' and 'Zejtinka'. The following properties of these genotypes were assessed over a two-year period: flowering phenophase; harvest maturity; pomological properties (morphometric and chemical); disease susceptibility to: scab [Venturia inaequalis (Cooke) Wint.], mildew [Podosphaera leucotricha (Ell. & Ev.)] and fireblight [Erwinia amylovora (Burnill)], in accordance with Apple Descriptors (IBPGR) and standard morphometric and chemical methodologies. Based on the full flowering and harvest maturity, the genotypes can be classified into six groups (from extremely early to late) and four groups (from mid-season to very late), respectively. The highest average fruit weight, height and width were determined in 'Ovčiji Nos', while the lowest were in 'Tip 1'. The best fruit quality among the assessed genotypes, measured by the fruit chemical composition, was found in 'Ovčiji Nos'. All of the studied genotypes showed field resistance to fireblight and a wide range of field susceptibility to scab and mildew. Based on the overall results and the fact that breeding programmes need new germplasm to improve current cultivars, autochthonous apple genotypes in the Republic of Serbia appear to carry useful traits.