CrimsonCrisp™ - A New Disease Resistant Apple Recommended for Trial Planting

There is a new fresh-market apple cultivar called ‘CrimsonCrisp™’ (Figure 1) that has caught our attention at the Simcoe Horticultural Research Station in Simcoe since we established trees in 1999. At that time, it was being tested under the name ‘Co-op 39’, but has since been trademarked ‘CrimsonCrisp™’. The cultivar is currently protected and is licensed to Adams County Nursery, Inc. (Aspers, PA). Plant patent in the United States is reported to be pending.

Figure 1 - CrimsonCrisp™ is a medium-sized, midseason, scab-immune, red apple that has an attractive appearance, well-balanced flavour and very crisp flesh. [photo – J. Cline] 

This cultivar displays an impressive rosy red blush that covers close to 100% of the fruit surface - even in what might be considered a poor colouring year. The fruit has a sweet, rich flavour and is sub- acidity. The flesh is crisp, yellowish white in colour (Figure 2), and moderately juicy. ‘CrimsonCrisp™’ matures late in September/early October, approximately 5 days after ‘Empire’. Premature fruit drop has not been a concern in our observations in Simcoe. Other reports indicate that it has excellent keeping quality with storage up to 4 months. The fruit is medium in size (up to 76 mm) and oblate to round in shape. The tree is moderately vigorous, has an upright growth habit, and has a standard (nonspur) bearing habit with some biennial bearing if over cropped.

Figure 2 - CrimsonCrisp™ ('Co-op 39) (from Janick et al, 2006).

In addition to the above feature, what is quite remarkable is that ‘CrimsonCrisp™’ is resistant to apple scab (Venturia inaequalis) and moderately resistant to leaf rust. However, this cultivar is moderately susceptible to mildew and is reported to be susceptible to fireblight.

Origin

The original CrimsonCrisp™ seedling was derived from a cross between two breeding selections made in 1971 at the Rutgers Fruit Research and Development Center, Cream Ridge, N.J. The seedlings were screened for scab resistance at Purdue University in 1972 by E.B. Williams and planted at the Purdue University Horticultural Research Farm, West Lafayette, Ind,. Fruit of this seedling was first observed on September 18, 1979.

The selection has been widely evaluated at a number of locations including Lafayette Ind., Cream Ridge, N.J., and Urbana Ill. It was also included in the NE-183 test among 20 states and three provinces (including the University of Guelph, Simcoe). The pedigree of ‘Co-op 39’ is diagrammed in Figure 3.

Figure 3 - Pedigree of 'Co-op 39' (CrimsonCrisp™)

If you are considering the planting of new apple cultivars, CrimsonCrisp™’ is worth evaluating on a trial basis, especially for those looking for ways to reduce the use of fungicides for scab control. All indications are that it should be suitable for most, if not all of Ontario, although information on its winter hardiness is lacking. Should you wish further information on this cultivar, please contact the authors.

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