Japanese Apple Varieties

Abstract

Although commercial apple varieties were not introduced into Japan until the mid 1800's, apples have since become the second leading horticulture crop (1). With nearly 150,000 acres now planted, there is considerable interest in the development of new apple varieties that are better suited to the Japanese preference for sweet, tree-ripened fruit and that are better adapted to intensive cultural practices than many of the "old" American varieties which constitute much of the present acreage. During the past 5 decades more than 50 new varieties have been developed and released by Japanese horticulturists. Most of these varieties were produced from controlled crosses by plant breeders at two research stations located in northern Japan. The Aomori Apple Experiment Station located at Kuroishi City in Aomori Prefecture (state) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Morioka Branch Fruit Tree Research Station located near Morioka City in Iwate Prefecture. A few apple varieties have been developed by private individuals.