By Andi Anderson
Michigan apple orchards face a constant threat: spring frosts. To combat this, researchers are turning to the state's native apple tree, Malus coronaria. This unique tree blooms weeks later than commercial varieties, making it highly resistant to frost damage.
“We found that the native apple tree is incredibly tolerant to spring frost simply because it blooms several weeks later than commercial apple trees,” said Steve van Nocker, a plant geneticist at Michigan State University. “This tree is naturally adapted to our region — in terms of resistance to extremes of weather, climate, and microbial and insect pests. It also has really good postharvest resilience. The fruit also doesn’t decay very quickly. In fact, I had one in my office for a year, and it never went bad.”
Van Nocker's team is embarking on a mission to locate and preserve remaining Malus coronaria trees. They are collecting seeds and cuttings to safeguard the species' genetic diversity. These genetic resources will be invaluable for developing new frost-resistant apple varieties.
By identifying the genes responsible for late blooming in Malus coronaria, researchers hope to introduce this trait into commercial apple varieties. This could revolutionize apple production in Michigan and beyond, ensuring a reliable supply of this beloved fruit even in the face of climate change.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-dionisvero
Categories: Michigan, Crops, Fruits and Vegetables, Education