Review of the current apple breeding programmes in the world: Objectives for scion cultivar improvement

A questionnaire was sent out in the spring of 1996. Forty-two apple breeders from 29 countries representing four continents answered it. Additional data have been collected from different papers. The main objectives and parents included in the breeding programmes are reviewed. The main common objective is to combine in new cultivars, high fruit quality with disease and pest resistance. Scab and, to a lesser extent, powdery mildew resistances are the most often targeted. Specific programmes are also developed to create cultivars adapted to extreme climatic conditions. Another important aim is to obtain tree habits that allow high productivity and regular bearing. Classical hybridizations are made which involve most important commercial cultivars, but also some old local varieties and a few wild Malus species. The commercial success of new cultivars coming from breeding programmes, e.g. 'Jonagold', 'Elstar', 'Gala' and 'Fuji', shows that breeding is an efficient way to develop apple production. In all the countries surveyed, advanced selections are being released and tested.