APPLECULTIVAR EVALUATIONS
Established in 1990, this project focuses on evaluating promising new apple cultivars and advanced selections for commercial adaptability in North Jersey. Proper cultivar selection will determine the sustainability of the apple industry in northern New Jersey. Over sixty cultivars from all regions of the world are currently under test. This project has been supported by the NJ State Horticultural Society and Snyder Farm Local needs grants.
Cameo, Honeycrisp, Gingergold, Imperial Gala, Breaburn, Scarlet Gala, and Elstar are well adapted to the region and have looked superior to date with excellent fruit quality W.P. COWGILL, J. COMPTON, M. MALETTA, J. GOFFREDA, A. VORDECKER

NE-183 CSRS - MULTIDISCIPLINARY EVALUATION OF NEW APPLE CULTIVARS
Established in 1995. The North East regional project (NE-183) is being used to evaluate important fruit tree cultivars for New Jersey that may require less production inputs but will have superior horticultural characteristics. Plantings of the same cultivar/rootstock combinations, were established in 16 locations in the United States. This project quickly exposes cultivars to a wide range of soils, climatic conditions, nutrient and disease pressures for identifying them suitable as potential profitable cultivars. Established with Snyder Farm local needs grants and support from CSRS. Maintained with funding from the NJ State Horticulture Society
Cameo, Sunrise, Suncrisp (NJ55), and Shizuka all had outstanding fruit quality in this first fruiting season and required minimal inputs..
W. P. COWGILL, J. COMPTON, J. GOFFREDA, W. TIETJEN, D. POLK,M. MALETTA, R. BELDING

APPLE NC-140 DWARF AND SEMI-DWARF ROOTSTOCK EVALUATION Established in 1994. Evaluating the most advanced apple rootstocks for adaption to northern New Jersey conditions. Nineteen dwarfing apple rootstock with 'Gala' as the scion cultivar are being grown utilizing a modified Vertical Axe production system. As part of the regional NC-140 project, these identical plantings were established in 26 states and Canadian provinces. Information to gain includes the influence of the rootstocks on tree survival and disease susceptibility, tree size control, precocity, productivity, fruit size and crop value. Supported with Snyder Farm local needs grants, CSRS/USDA and the NJ State Horticultural Society. Bud 9 and Ottawa 3 are becomeing the best performing stocks in the dwarf trial as to tree structure, yield efficiency, and total cumulative yield. CG30 was the best performing stock through the fourth leaf in the semi-dwarf trial as to yield efficiency and total cumulative yield.. W.P. COWGILL, J. COMPTON, W. TIETJEN, M. MALETTA

NUTRITIONAL STUDIES ON MYSTERY SPOT OF THE ENTERPRISE APPLE Established in 1995. Evaluation of "Enterprise" scab resistant cultivar to determine the exact cause of "mystery spot", a nutritional/disease spot that appears on the skin of the fruit. A solution is needed if this apple is to live up to its potential in both fresh and processed markets. "Mystery Spot" is characterized by circular, slightly sunken spots associated with a lenticel. The spots may be variably colored (usually green to black). Corky tissue extends a short distance into the flesh. The spots appear just prior to harvest and also develop during storage. The disorder varies from a single spot to numerous spots. The spots occur less frequently on the stem end than on other areas. Cover sprays including calcium chloride applied at high rates in previous tests have reduced the incidence of "mystery Spot". In 1997 the highest rate, 3.5 lbs./100 gallons of CaCl reduced spotting to commercially acceptable levels. Funded with Snyder Farm local need grants. W.TIETJEN, W.P. COWGILL, D. POLK, J. COMPTON, G. SLIFER, D.ROSENBERGER