NATIVE APPLE GERMPLASM IN ROMANIA

In Romania, apple germplasm consists of more than 1100 genotypes. More than 700 cultivars and local selections are genetically disease resistant. The collection of the University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Iasi contains over 200 cultivars. Among these, there are 65 local cultivars and biotypes which are disease resistant. This genetic material is mainly used in the breeding program of our University. From 250 new selections 16 were confirmed to be disease resistant and released as new cultivars: ‘Aromat de Vara’, ‘Frumos de Voinesti’, ‘Auriu de Bistrita’, ‘Rosu de Cluj’, ‘Delia, Ancuta’, ‘Pionier’, ‘Voinea’, ‘Generos’, ‘Romus 1’, ‘Romus 2’, and ‘Romus 3’. These represent 10% of all cultivars grafted in Romanian nurseries. Based on annual pomological studies we establish the characteristics of each cultivar or biotype, the ways to use them, and the most appropriate methods to create new cultivars and hybrids. Valuable cultivars are recommended for multiplication and for replacing unsuitable ones.