COMPARISON OF TREE GROWTH, FRUIT CHARACTERISTICS, AND FRUIT-QUALITY OF 5 GALA APPLE STRAINS

A 'Gala' strain trial was established in 1988 that included 'Kidd's D-8,''Royal,' Tenroy 'Scarlet,' 'Imperial,' and 'Regal' Fulford on M.26. All strains bloomed profusely in the third and fourth leaf on both 1-year-old and 2-year-old wood. Bloom density on 'Imperial Gala' was generally lower than on the other strains. Strains differed little in vegetative growth. The fruit of all strains colored well, but the red-coloring selections generally had better color. Quantitative differences in red color among strains was not consistent. 'Regal Gala' was an early maturing strain, based on higher ground color index, starch index, soluble solids, and incidence of fruit cracking and lower flesh firmness. Fruit appearance and quality were evaluated with a trained panel using a quantitative descriptive analysis method. 'Regal Gala' was rated as the most attractive strain. Taste panelists judged 'Royal,' 'Scarlet,' and 'Regal' to have better flavor and to be, overall, more desirable than 'Kidd's D-8 Gala.'