TREE GROWTH AND PRODUCTIVITY AND POSTHARVEST FRUIT-QUALITY IN VARIOUSSTRAINS OF DELICIOUS APPLE

Twenty-six strains of 'Delicious' apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) were evaluated over several years for growth, yield, and fruit quality at h arvest and after 6 months of storage. 'August Red', 'Rose Red', and 'S harp Red' had larger trunk cross-sectional area (TCSA) 3 and 18 years after planting compared to most other Spur', 'Silverspur,' 'Starkrimso n', and 'Starking' had larger TCSA and cumulative yield. 'Apex,' 'Impr oved Ryan Spur', Silverspur', 'Starkrimson', and 'Wellspur' were also among strains with high cumulative yields and yield efficiencies. 'Har di-Brite Spur' and 'Red King Oregon Spur' had moderately high yields a nd small TCSAs, thus, high yield efficiencies. 'Atwood', 'Hardispur', 'Imperial', 'Improved Ryanred', 'Starkspur Supreme', and 'Topred' had low cumulative yields. 'Ace' and 'Improved Ryanred' had low yield effi ciencies. 'Ace', 'Imperial', 'Red King Oregon Spur', 'Rose Red', 'Star king', and 'Wellspur' had heavier fruit, while fruit weight in 'August Red', 'Hardispur', and 'Starkrimson' was lighter than that in most ot her red skin color rating as 'Rose Red.' The red skin color rating of 'Early Red One' was significantly higher than that of all other strain s. 'Hi-Early', 'Improved Ryanred', 'Redspur', and 'Starking' had the p oorest skin color ratings. 'Hardispur', 'Nured Royal', 'Silverspur', a nd 'Starkrimson' had high soluble solids concentrations (SSCs) at harv est and after storage. 'Early Red One', 'Imperial', 'Improved Ryan Spu r', and 'Red King Oregon Spur' had lower SSCs at harvest and after sto rage. Fruit of 'Apex' and 'Redspur' had relatively high firmness at ha rvest, while 'Hardispur', 'Silverspur', 'Starkrimson', and 'Starkspur Supreme' had firm fruit at harvest and after storage. 'Hardi-Brite Spu r' had the softest fruit after storage, and fruit from 'Rose Red' had a lower firmness than most other strains at harvest and after storage. Considering cumulative yield, yield efficiency, or some quality param eters, 'Apex', 'Classic Red', 'Improved Ryan Spur', 'Red King Oregon S pur', 'Silverspur', and 'Wellspur' had satisfactory overall performanc e. Strains are also suggested for planting depending on the market sit uation and the demand for a particular quality factor. 'Hardispur' and 'Sturdeespur' Miller are not recommended for planting under climatic conditions similar to those of this experiment.