London: Australian scientists have claimed
to have developed a new variety of disease-resistant apple
which won't rot for weeks even if kept outside a refrigerator.
Researchers at Queensland Primary Industries and
Fisheries in Queensland have developed the apple, RS103-130,
which stays fresh for a fortnight even when kept out of the
fridge, The Independent reported.
The researchers also call it "the world's best apple"
owing to its sweet taste, longevity and ability to resist
disease.
The new variety of apple is deep red in colour and stays
"crispy" for up to 14 days if kept in a fruit bowl and if
stored in a fridge it remains edible for four months.
The fruit has a naturally strong resistance to apple scab
or black spot, a disease caused by the fungus Venturia
inaequalis which affects both the foliage and fruit.
It is produced conventionally using a gene from the
Asiatic apple variety Malus floribunda which has a proven
resistance to black spot and is not genetically modified, the
scientists claim.
Tim Mulherin, Queenland's primary industries minister,
said, "This new variety is sweet. It ticks the other boxes too
because it is disease resistant, so requires few or no
fungicides.
"Initial taste tests have been outstanding. Out of the
five apple types tasted, the new variety scored the highest,"
the minister said.
Bureau Report
First Published: Wednesday, November 11, 2009, 18:40