Introducing ‘WA 5’
second new apple cultivar from WSU
Following on the heels of last year's ‘WA 2’, WSU's apple breeding program is making available for grower evaluation it's next release, ‘WA 5’.
Availability of ‘WA 5’ will follow the commercialization plan developed by the Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission, the master licensee, for ‘WA 2’. Growers may apply for trees for spring 2011 planting now under five tree evaluation agreements.
Origin
- 1994 cross of ‘Splendour' x ‘Coop 15'
- 1997 planted on M.9 for evaluation
- 2001 selected for eating quality
- 2004 planted in Phase 2 trials (3 sites)
- 2007 planted in Phase 3 grower trials (4 sites)
- 2010 released for commercialization
- 2011 trees distributed for Phase 4 evaluation
Tree characteristics
- compact growth habit
- precocious
- productive
- annual bearing (if thinned)
- moderate susceptibility to mildew and fireblight