I’m a graduate of the University of Guelph (Ontario) and, though I studied history there, you’ve probably heard that Guelph takes agriculture pretty darn seriously. I do, too. So I was pretty excited to learn today that Canada has a brand new apple variety and, based on the description in the official press release from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, it sounds like a tasty one. The new apple is called the Salish and here’s what the government has to say about it in that press release:
The Salish™ is tangy, juicy and very crisp. It is medium-sized, with a pinkish red blush over a yellow background colour. The apple has characteristics that appeal not only to consumers, with its high quality appearance, texture and flavour, but also those that Canadian apple growers seek, such as its late harvest date, good storage and shelf life, high yields and good growth habits for high-density orchards.
Previously only known as SPA493, the Salish™ apple was developed and tested by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) scientists, in partnership with the Okanagan Plant Improvement Corporation (PICO). Like all AAFC varieties, this new apple was developed using traditional cross-pollination methods. It originated from a cross between ‘Splendour’ and ‘Gala’ cultivars made in 1981 at AAFC’s Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre (PARC) in Summerland, British Columbia.
Once the desired characteristics were yielded by AAFC scientists, PICO worked extensively in testing and evaluating the new variety with growers. The partnership between AAFC and PICO is a rewarding one and has resulted in the introduction of some significant tree fruit and berry varieties. PICO licenses new varieties of tree fruits – both domestically and internationally – that appeal to consumers and growers and helps refine horticultural practices.
No thanks, not into GMO products. This was news back in July when the biotech company Okanagan Plant Improvement Corporation was creating an apple that doesn’t rot. I prefer my fruits to have the capability of fermenting that way I KNOW it will digest in my system. Sick sick corporations to play with our health this way and sick sick government for allowing them to keep quiet about the truth and not telling us what is really in our foods.
Salish is not a GMO. The Okanagan Plant Improvement Corporation does not deal with any GMO’s.
The Artic Apples (GMO’s) are from Okanagan Specialty Fruits.
Get your facts straight as it reflects badly on our company and on AAFC.
This is all about intellectual property:
“PICO licenses new varieties of tree fruits…”
Patent the new apple, cutoff sales of the old one, and voila! A patented, controlled natural product to be sold through your local Wal-Mart stores.
I cringe at our future…
Sold through your local WalMart stores? I highly doubt it. The apple is sold strictly through a small fruit distribution company in BC, and the apple has only been put into approximately 20 small retailers so far. I must say though, consumer response thus far has been tremendous.
The Salish also has a sister apple that is very sweet named the Aurora Golden Gala.
Wow Bob,
You are really out of touch. The only group who stop the sales of “old” varieties are consumers who decide something else is better. Bit of a jump to go from local IGA, Nesters, Urban Fairs to exclusive licenses with Wal-mart.
Protecting Intellectual property and using the royalties to finance breeding programs seems like a good way to keep consumers interested and,more importantly, keeping growers in business
I’ve had this apple, bought at our local IGA. It’s a great eating apple, and locally grown to boot. And no, it’s not GMO, but simply cross-pollinated – the way many happy accidents in the plant world occur.
Do you know if this apple will eventually be available as a tree for us gardeners to plant in our yards or is it only available for commercial growers? What’s the pollination requirement? Biploid? Triploid? I’d love to have one on an M27 root stock, along with the 6 other apple varieties already in my yard, 3 of which are heirloom varieties.
I love, love, love this apple. The only problem is where to find. We found them at our local Choices, but they were soon off the shelves and nowhere to be found for months. Anyone know what’s up with this?