Apple tree named ‘Seaton99’

Abstract

A new and distinct variety of Malus domestica named ‘Seaton99’ characterized by a bright pink colour with faint underline stripe fully filling in to block colour; more intensively visually apparent bright pink tones than any comparable early maturing apple varieties; foreground colour over 75% of fruit surface; mild cheddar background colour; random ‘flecking’ exhibited to varying modest degrees in approximately 30% of fruits; early maturation; distinctive strong flavours and after-tastes; consistent and stable repeat cropping returning identical characteristics over an extended trial period; and retention and enhancement of bright colouration in long storage events.

Description

[0001]Genus and species plant claimed: Malus domestica. [0002]Variety denomination: ‘Seaton99’.CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0003]This application claims the benefit of New Zealand Plant Variety Right Application No. APP232, filed Jul. 15, 2015, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0004]The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of apple tree hereinafter referred to as ‘Seaton99’.[0005]The discovery was made in 1999 amongst a block of ‘Heritage Gala’ apple trees growing in a cultivated orchard in the Tasman District of Nelson Province in New Zealand, whereby one tree on the end of a row of trees was identified that exhibited many and varied apparent mutations of the variety that was systematically planted in an orchard block of apple trees. The parent tree is believed to be a ‘Heritage Gala’ tree, where ‘Heritage Gala’ refers to a historical New Zealand bred apple variety. Due to the location of th...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]Over a 15 year trial period, the inventor has established the following characteristics and differences that demonstrate ‘Seaton99’ as a new and distinct apple variety: 1) Bright pink with faint underline stripe fully filling in to block colour; 2) More intensively visually apparent bright pink tones than any comparable early maturing apple varieties; 3) Foreground colour over 75% of fruit surface; 4) Mild cheddar background colour; 5) Random ‘flecking’ exhibited to varying modest degrees in approximately 30% of fruits; 6) Early maturation affording harvest 7 to 10 days in advance of regular ‘Gala’ and ‘Royal Gala’ varieties; 7) Distinctive strong flavours and after-tastes more intense than ‘Royal Gala’ and its mutations, and reminiscent of historical ‘Heritage Gala’; 8) Consistent and stable repeat cropping returning identical characteristics over an extended trial period; and 9) Retention and enhancement of bright colouration in long storage events, compared to fading and browning observed in regular ‘Royal Gala’ and ‘Gala’ strains when stored for extended periods.

Problems solved by technology

Due to the location of the tree and its significant different attributes from all others, it was not possible to establish whether the tree was a seedling positioned strategically for expedient observation, or a chance mutation coincidentally occurring on the end of a row of trees, as the orchard was purchased with the trees established and enquiries failed to reveal any knowledge or information.

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