Content uploaded by Susan K. Brown
Author content
All content in this area was uploaded by Susan K. Brown on Jul 06, 2015
Content may be subject to copyright.
NEW YORK FRUIT QUARTERLY . VOLUME 17 . NUMBER 3 . FALL 2009 9
“Many new apple varieties are being
patented and trademarked and
then being grown and marketed in a
production and marketing club with
access to grow the variety limited to club
members. There are currently well over
30 club varieties, with the majority being
grown outside of the US. The success of
new club varieties will depend on both
the quality of the new variety and on the
marketing e orts of the club. Consumer
reaction and demand will help dictate
how many new apple varieties the
market will bear. ”
Making Sense of New Apple Varieties,
Trademarks and Clubs: Current Status
S.K. Brown and K. E. Maloney
Department of Horticultural Sciences
New York State Ag. Exp. Station, Cornell University
Geneva, NY
This work was supported in part by the New York Apple Research and Development Program.
Growers who attended the IFTA (International Fruit
Tree Association) meetings in Germany in February
2009 were greeted with an overwhelming array of
new varieties, new
trademarks, brand-
ing and many new
club, or managed
varieties. In trying
to find informa-
tion on these new
varieties, confu-
sion is common
as patent names
are not the same as
the trademark and
some varieties are
marketed under
several different
names depending
on the marketer
or region in which
they are grown.
Many varieties of
apples are being
named or given selection numbers, then trademarked under
another name and sometimes it is diffi cult to keep this straight.
is article provides a bit of information on diff erent trademark
names, brand names that designate a company’s product, not a
specifi c variety, and some of the club varieties being promoted.
is is not a complete listing; growers who would like additional
information may look at the US patent website-patent numbers,
which are included in most of the write-ups below. At www.
uspto.gov a patent search by number will allow you to access the
full description of a patented variety often providing interesting
information not shared in nursery catalogs or research article
e number of plant patents for apple varieties has been
steadily increasing with over 25 apple patents granted in the past
year. Ironically, almost all of the US plant patents for apples over
the last several years are of club varieties from Europe or sports
of existing commercial varieties, with relatively few new off erings
to the US industry.
In the US there are currently only a few club apple varieties
and most are on a relatively small scale, but the number is increas-
ing. Club varieties include ‘Ambrosia’ ‘Cameo’, ‘Jazz’, ‘Lady Alice’,
‘Sonya’, ‘Red Prince’, ‘Pink Lady’ and ‘Pacifi c Rose’). e majority
of these are grown by organizations in Washington State.
In New York State some apple growers are members of NBT
that will grow ‘Minneiska (MN1914) and market it as ‘SweeTango’®
(www.sweeTango.com).
ere are also on-going discussions with the New York apple
industry about some systems of controlled management of select
new releases from the Cornell apple breeding program (reviewed
in the New York Apple Association’s Core Report (April 2009,
Volume 16, Issue 10), but there will also continue to be general
(non-exclusive) releases.
Organizations Developing, Growing and/or Promoting
New Apples (this is only a partial listing due to the number of
organizations involved in this area):
AIGN, the Association of International Group of Nurseries (www.
aign.org) is best known for it’s marketing of ‘Pink Lady’ and for
its membership in the Prevar group. Many diff erent nurseries
across the global are part of this network.
Better3Fruits a breeding company in Belgium has had a
series of recent releases including “Greenstar’, ‘Kanzi’, ‘Tunda’,
‘Zari’ and ‘Zongo’ (www.better3fruit.com). is company has
taken an interesting twist on names, starting with the use of
‘Kanzi ‘, a South African word meaning “hidden treasure.”
Foreign languages off er many possibilities for names to use
with fewer concerns about prior use or trademark eligibility.
A company-GKE (Greenstar-Kanzi-Europe) was developed
to promote Better3Fruit varieties ‘Greenstar and ‘Kanzi’ in
Europe.
CIV (Consorzio Italiano Vivaisti), a Consortium of three
enterprises in Ferrara, Italy. is consortium has released ‘Rubens’
(‘Civni’) and ‘Modi’® (Civg198) and has an improved sport of ‘Fuji’;
‘Toshiro Fuji’ (www.civ.it).
IFO, (International Fruit Obtention), is a private company
located near Angers in France’s Loire Valley that specializes in
research and development of apple and pear varieties and root-
stocks. IFO is a joint venture of three French nurseries—Valois,
Mondial Fruit Selection, and Davodeau-Ligonniere.
INN, (International Nurser y Network), (www.inn.org) is a
group of nurseries in many diff erent countries that test varieties
for global commercialization.
Inova is a Dutch organization comprised of several diff erent
entities, which looks for new varieties to commercialize and is
promoting ‘Rubens’ and ‘Wellant’ (www.inovafruit.nl).
Kiku, Ltd. A company formed in 2005 by the Braun family,
with partners in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Slovenia and
10 NEW YORK STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
Italy. ey developed a marketing concept for Kiku-8, a well-
colored ‘Fuji’ sport. In North America, Columbia Fruit Packers
of Wenatchee, Washington have exclusive rights to grow and
market Kiku. Acreage is not limited but fruit must meet quality
standards to qualify for the Kiku brand name.
NBT, (Next Big ing), is a 45-member grower coopera-
tive in the US that was awarded exclusive rights to market MN
1914 apple (‘SweeTango’®). e overall strategy of the co-op
is to develop and market new products, with an emphasis on
quality.
Prevar™, the collaboration amongst NZ, Australia, and the
Association of International Group of Nurseries (AIGN) stands
for Premium Var iety (www.prevar.co.nz). Prevar has released
the apple variety ‘Sweetie’ as an open release and has recently
sold exclusive rights to three of its selections (PremA 17, PremA
153 and PremA 197-detailed below).
Varicom (variety commercialization and communication)
is a joint venture among Italian, French and German companies
founded in 2004 to commercialize (nationally and internationally)
interesting fruit varieties from Agriscope’s breeding program in
Switzerland (www.varicom.org).
Varieties in Some Type of Management System
‘Ambrosia’: Discovered and released in Canada and the US,
but then exclusive rights in the US were granted to McDougall
& Sons in WA who is in partnership with Columbia Marketing
International (CMI). US production is limited to 500 acres. Stuart
McDougall mentions interesting advantages to exclusive rights
such as having the opportunity to limit color or not having to
split the variety into too many grades.
‘Ariane’: A scab-resistant selection from the INRA program
at Angers, France that is being marketed under the Naturianes
brand. It is of complex pedigree. Additional information may be
found at www.pomme-ariane.com/en/nature.php.
‘Ariwa’: A Swiss release that is a cross of ‘Golden Delicious’
by a Swiss selection (A849-5). is variety is scab and mildew
resistant, requires two to three harvests and is of medium size,
with fi rm fl esh and a good sugar/acid ratio.
‘Autento’® (‘Delcoros’): A selection from the Delbard Nurs-
ery in France, this variety is a hybrid of ‘Delgollune’ x ‘Cox’s
Orange Pippin’ that ripens three weeks before ‘Elstar’. Fruits are
sweet and fi rm. It is being targeted for consumers who like sweet
fl avor and a good aroma.
‘Cameo’ (‘Caudle’): An open release, this variety was a
chance seedling discovered in Washington State and once pro-
moted by Dole Fruits. American Cameo (www.americancameo.
com) is a group that formed to promote the variety. Two new
more highly colored sports of ‘Cameo’ have been discovered,
‘Dudek’ was granted USPP#19,766 in 2008 and ‘Caufl ight’ has a
plant application fi led.
‘Choupette’ (‘Dalinette’): A scab-resistant variety being
promoted by Ligonniere nursery in France, but the production
is only at 5,000 tons.
‘Delblush’: See ‘Tentation.’
‘Diwa’: See ‘Junami.’
‘Enchanted’® (‘Western Dawn’): From Australia this ‘Lady
Williams’ x ‘Golden Delicious’ hybrid is a sister to ‘Pink Lady.’ It
is known for its non-browning fl esh and attractive pink fruit. e
cross was made in 1976 and the selection was fi rst propagated
in 1982. ‘Western Dawn’ received its US plant patent (#18, 640)
in March of 2008. is variety was made available exclusively to
Perfection Fresh in Australia.
‘Envy’: A bicolor apple that was created by HortResearch and
is being handled by ENZA . is hybrid of ‘Royal Gala’ x ‘Braeburn’
is very sweet apple (high Brix), high fl avor and juice content and
maintains its fi rmness in storage. is apple will be available year
round, with dual hemisphere production. Currently there are fi eld
trials in New Zealand, the UK, France and the USA, and some
trialing is also being done with organic cultivation in Italy. ‘Envy’
is not yet available for sale due to the limited current production,
but the plan is to have similar volumes to Enza’s other specialty
club variety,’ Jazz.’
‘Evelina’: A sport of ‘ Pinova’ being marketed in Europe.
‘Eva’: One of two trademarked brands (‘Eva’ and Mozart’)
representing apple varieties from Austria (www.eva-apples.com/
eva/eng/index.php).
‘Galmac’: is as yet non-trademarked variety is an early
apple that is a hybrid of ‘Jerseymac’ x ‘Gala.’ ‘Galmac’ is a product
of the Swiss breeding program.
‘Greenstar’® (‘Nicogreen’): Released by Better3Fruit in Bel-
gium, this variety was patented in the US in 2003 (USPP#16,559).
is green apple is a hybrid of ‘Delbarestival’ x ‘Granny Smith’.
A company-GKE (Greenstar-Kanzi-Europe) was developed to
spread this variety in Europe. ‘Greenstar’ is said to have high
Vitamin C and fl esh that is resistant to browning.
‘Jazz’ (‘Scifresh’): Developed in New Zealand, ‘Scifresh’
was granted USPP#13,888 in 2003. Jazz is a hybrid of ‘Braeburn’
x ‘Royal Gala.’ It is being grown in New Zealand and Washington
State (marketed by Oppenheimer) to provide dual hemisphere
production. New York growers do not have access to ‘Jazz.’ A
sport of ‘Jazz’ has recently been patented.
‘Juliet’ (Co-op 43): is scab-resistant apple was named in
the US in 2003 by the PRI (Purdue-Rutgers-Illinois cooperative)
and patented in 200x. Exclusive rights in Europe assigned to the
Escande nurseries, Saint-Vite, France (www.pepinieres-escande.
com). It is marketed as an organic apple with a cartoon fi gure
trademarked with the name and the opportunity to become a
friend of ’Juliet’ at www.pomme-juliet.com.
‘Junami’® (‘Milwa’ or ‘Diwa’®): USPP#19,615 granted to
‘Milwa’ in January of 2009. Tested as FAW 5878, this hybrid of
a selection of ‘Idared’ x ‘Maigold’ crossed with ‘Elstar’ is from a
breeding program in Switzerland and is marketed as ‘Diwa’ in that
country and ‘Junami’® in Europe and internationally. ‘Junami’ is
reported to have high quality and a long storage life. inning/
crop regulation is an area being researched with this variety.
‘Honeycrunch’®: ‘Honeycrisp’ is marketed in Europe as
‘Honeycrunch’ and the Pomanjou group in France controls ex-
clusive rights in Europe. ‘Honeycrunch’ has the same production
challenges as in the US: low pack-outs due to soft scald, bitter pit
and poor coloration.
‘Kanzi’® (‘Nicoter’): A release from the Belgium program
Better3Fruit that has been patented in the US (USPP#17,201 in
2006). A hybrid of ‘Gala’ x ‘Braeburn’, ‘Kanzi’ is productive and has
good consistency for size and shape. e name is South African
for “hidden treasure.” A company-GKE (Greenstar-Kanzi-Europe)
was developed to help commercialize ‘Kanzi’ and ‘Greenstar’ in
Europe. Storage disorders may include internal browning. VOG
and VIP have been granted rights to market ‘Kanzi’ in Italy. From
the www.kanziapple.com website: Currently there are 2.6 mil-
lion trees planted throughout Europe and each season a further
NEW YORK FRUIT QUARTERLY . VOLUME 17 . NUMBER 3 . FALL 2009 11
800,000 are added. Forecasts from GKE are for growth to continue
at a similar pace to the current one for several years to come.
In Europe, there are currently 740 growers growing approx. 15
million kilos this season. Almost half of the crop is grown in the
Netherlands, another 25% in Belgium and the rest in Germany,
England and Italy.
‘Kiku’® 8 (‘Brak’ Fuji’): A sport of ‘Fuji’ managed under strict
quality standards by Kiku Ltd. and trademarked along with the
slogan “fresh apple emotion.” (www.kiku-apple.com, www.kiku-
partner.com). ‘Golden Parsi (S) da rosa’® is a new clone of ‘Golden
Delicious’ being tested for commercialization by Kiku.
‘Lady Alice’: Rainier™ off ers this apple exclusively and in
very limited quantities in the US. A chance seedling of unknown
parentage, ‘Lady Alice’ derives its name from the mother of the
person who discovered in Washington State.
‘La Flamboyante’: See ‘Mairiac’®.
‘Marlene’: A brand of apple, not a specifi c variety that is
produced by the VOG, the largest group of Italian apple growers
in the Sudtirol, representing 21 producer cooperators.
‘Mairac’® (‘La Flamboyante’): A hybrid of ‘Gala’ x ‘Maigold’
from Switzerland that was released in 2002 (www.mairac.ch).
Researchers are examining crop regulation and this varieties
sensitivity to cold and C02. ‘Mairac’® has rated very well in taste
test in Europe.
‘Milwa’: See ‘Junami’.
‘Modi’® (‘Civg198’): A product developed by CIV in Fer-
rara, Italy, ‘Modi’® is named for the artist Modigliani. is red
apple is scab resistant and marketed under the slogan this apple
is “green” (www.modiapple.com). ‘Modi’ is restricted in amount
of cultivation with 500 tons now and 50,000 tons targeted. ere
is a Modi Europa group targeting commercialization. ‘Modi’ has
been patented in the US (USPP#18,730). Fruits have high sugar
and a good sugar/acid balance. ‘Modi’ is very tolerant to powdery
mildew and to aphids in Europe.
‘Mozart’: One of two trademarked brands (‘Eva’ and ‘Mo-
zart’) of Austrian apples (not a specifi c variety) that are supposed
to denote premium quality.
‘Opal’: A hybrid of ‘Golden Delicious x ’Topaz’, this scab-
resistant apple is also tolerant to mildew in Europe. Breeders in
the Czech Republic have already patented this variety in the US
(USPP#15,963 in 2005 as UEB 3264/2), with Varieties Interna-
tional in Oregon granted the US license. ‘Opal’ has generated a
new management company based in the Czech Republic called
Fruit-select, with partners including two French nurseries (D-
Ligonniere and Star fruits) and collaborators in the Netherlands,
the Czech republic and Austria.
‘Pacifi c Rose’: One in the Pacifi c series release by the New
Zealand breeding program and marketed by ENZA. ‘Pacifi c
Rose’ is grown in a dual hemisphere production with New Zea-
land and growers in Washington State. ‘Pacifi c Rose’ and ‘Jazz’
are marketed by Oppenheimer in North America. Washington
State growers must pay both a per acre franchise fee and a set
percentage of the gross for marketing.
‘Piñata’: (formerly ‘Pinova’, ‘Corail’, ‘Sonata’): Exclusive in
the US to Stemilt in Washington State and Dennis Courtier in
MN. is variety was released in Germany by the Pilnitz-Dresden
apple breeding program in 1986 and patented in US in 2000. Trees
leased to growers at $.75 per tree and there are annual produc-
tion costs of 2.5% of gross receipts in addition to 8 to 10%. e
‘Evelina’ sport of ‘Pinata’/’Pinova’ is being marketed in Europe.
‘Pink Lady’® (‘Cripps Pink’): One of the fi rst and best known
of the club (managed) varieties. Many sports of ‘Cripps Pink’ are
being patented.
PremA17 (T17): A Prevar selection that was granted an
exclusive license with a consortium called T Seventeen Ltd. Com-
pany, representing nine NZ companies. All members will plant
this variety and have market access but there will be a managed
strategy for export. T17 is acid & sweet, juicy, crunchy, grower
and consumer friendly and is an early maturing bi-color apple.
PremA153: A bright yellow apple with a hint of a pink blush,
this selection has full fl avor and a fi rm and crunchy texture. It is a
hybrid of ‘Royal Gala’ x Braeburn’ and has plant variety rights and
will be released under a trademarked name. is Prevar selection
has been licensed exclusively with Johnny Appleseed Holdings
Limited (NZ Yummy brand). Small volumes of fruit are available
in 2009.
PremA197: A Prevar selection again granted to a consor-
tium called T 197.
‘Red Prince’®: Exclusive to Riveridge Produce Marketing
company (www.riverridge.com) in Michigan. Grown in Canada
but marketed in the US. ‘Red Prince’ has the same parentage as
‘Jonagold’ and was discovered in Germany and tested there.
‘Rubens’
® (‘Civni’): From the CIV program in Italy, this
‘Gala’ x ‘Elstar’ hybrid was from a 1988 cross. It is being trialed
in numerous European countries, which may pose a problem
with consistency of fruit in the market. e name comes from
Latin for red, but its association with a famous Flemish painter
is a plus in marketing. ere is also an older ‘Rubens’ apple and
an apple ‘Rubin’ that are both distinct from ‘Rubens’ (‘Civni’).
‘Sonya’ (Nevson’): Otago International LLC, in Wenatchee
Washington is the exclusive producer and marketer of ‘Sonya’
apples in North America. A production of 500,000 boxes is tar-
geted in the US. Sonya apples are marketed and distributed by
Sage Fruit Company, Rainier Fruit Company and L&M Compa-
nies of the Yakima Valley. All three companies off er Sonya apples
to U.S. retailers. ‘Sonya’ is a cross of ‘Royal Gala’ x ‘Delicious’ and
is very typey. ‘Sonya’ is also being grown in its country of origin,
New Zealand, in Europe and in South America. It was developed
by the Nevis Fruit Company. ‘Sonya’ has US plant patent #12,415
(in the name of ‘Nevson’) in 2002 and is also trademarked in the
US and globally.
‘SweeTango’® (MN 1914, ‘Minneiska’): is hybrid of
‘Honeycrisp’ x ‘Zestar’ was granted US plant patent USPP#18,812
in 2008. A product of the University of Minnesota, MN 1914 is
an exclusive of the NBT (Next Big ing), a 45-member grower
cooperative that includes members in the US and Canada. In-
formation is available at www.sweetango.com.
‘Sweetie’ (Var-One or Prem1A cv): A release from Prevar
that is non-exclusive, ‘Sweetie’ has similarity to ‘Gala ’and is being
tested in several diff erent locations in the world.
‘Tentation’® (‘Delblush’): A hybrid of ‘Golden Delicious’
x ‘Grifer’ (‘Blushing Golden’) developed by Delbard Nursery in
France that is similar to ’Golden Delicious’ in appearance but
with more acid and more complex fl avor. Sixteen New Zealand
growers have exclusive rights in NZ with a goal of up to 250 acres
(~250,000 boxes). In Europe low pack-outs and bruising have
been issues.
‘Tunda’: From Better3Fruits this hybrid of ‘Delbarestivale’
x ‘Liberty’ is a high acid (.89 malic acid) variety.
‘Wellant’® (CPRO #47): is variety, a hybrid of a CPRO
12 NEW YORK STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
selection x ‘Elise’, ripens two to three weeks after ’Elstar’ and be-
fore ‘Jonagold’ in the Netherlands. is variety is well received in
Europe due to its crisp attractive fruits with strong aroma. It has
been reported that GA4/7 is being researched for russetting.
‘Western Dawn’: See ‘Enchanted’®.
‘Zari’: A hybrid of ‘Elstar’ x ‘Delcorf ’ (‘Delbarestivale’) that
was bred in Belgium (Better3Fruit). Ripens two weeks earlier than
‘Gala’. Fruits are 75% orange-red on a yellow/green background.
Trees are very vigorous and spreading. Granted US plant patent
#19,473 in 2008. Rights to ‘Zari’ have been assigned to Carolus C.
and N.V. Renee Nicolai for Germany, France, Sweden, Denmark
and Finland.
‘Zonga’: Another release from Better3Fruits in Belgium,
‘Zonga’ is a hybrid of ‘Alkmene’ x ‘Delbarestivale.’
Future of Club Varieties and Their Diversi cation
ere are currently well over 30 club varieties, predominately
being grown outside of the US when on a large scale. ese va-
rieties will need to off er consumers and growers a high quality,
consistent product regardless of the area in which it is grown.
e success of new varieties will depend on it distinctiveness,
consistence of quality and the eff orts of those growing, packing
and marketing it. New varieties off er enhanced quality often
coupled with unique attributes. While some argue that new club
varieties will cannibalize shelf space of existing varieties, there are
varieties on the market that need to be retired. Consumer reac-
tion and demand will help dictate how many new apple varieties
the market will bear.
Susan Brown is a Professor in the Department of
Horticultural Sciences, Geneva Campus who leads the apple
breeding program at Cornell University. Kevin Maloney is
a Research Support Specialist who works with Dr. Brown in
the apple breeding program.
LOCAL FARMS,
LOCAL FOOD.
F
Farm Bureau
®
is driving
customers to farm stands.
Why not yours?
An othe r gr e at r easo n to be a mem ber of F arm B urea u.
With publicity and advertising,
Farm Bureau drives customers to your
retail market or farm stand for fresh
produce and a “members only”
discount. You get a solid commission
for every new membership you sell.
Jo in t h e 6 5 far ms a lrea dy p a rtic ipat ing. 80 0 -342 -414 3
