Apple scab: Robust cultivars for Northern Europe (Biofruitnet Practice Abstract)

Summary in the original language of the document

The suitable cultivars will give a high yield of coloured, good tasting cultivars harvested in the period from August to November.
Practical recommendations
• Check information about local cultivars tested at research stations and on established orchards. Talk to your retailers.
• Here is a list of cultivars for organic pome production that are suited in northern Europe that can ripen and develop a good taste and nice finish:
o Earliest ripening cultivars: Nanna, Discovery, Sansa, Red Aroma, Alkmene, Santana, Red Ingrid Marie (Picture1), Holsteiner Cox, Red Topaz, Rubinstep (Pirouette®) (Picture 2), Topaz, Wellant, Red Belle de Boskoop and Bramley. Belle de Boskoop and Bramley are mainly for juice.
o Recommended pear cultivars for organic production: Anna, Carola, Conference, Concorde (Picture 3) and in the warmest areas also, Xenia and Gräfin Gepa.
• It is important to know which pollinators are needed for the different cultivars, the optimal harvest time, and the optimal selling and storage time for the cultivars.
• Remember that even the cultivars described as scab resistant may develop a scab race that can break down the resistance. Always control apple and pear scab from bud break and at big infections peak in the primary ascospore discharge period.
• Even robust cultivars against apple and pears scab do not significantly reduce the need for treatments. There is always the risk of other diseases, such as sooty blotch.