Apple tree (Malus domestica) SÜGISDESSERTÕUN

Apple (Malus domestica) 'Sügisdessertõun' (Autumn Dessert Apple)

An Estonian autumn variety with high yield and a distinctive spicy flavour.

'Sügisdessertõun' (meaning "Autumn Dessert Apple") is an Estonian autumn apple variety, created by crossing ‘Antonovka’ and ‘Wealthy’. It is valued for its high and very regular yield, early entry into bearing, and fruits with a distinctive, sweet-tart, and spicy flavour.

Main advantages of the variety:

• High and very regular yield (80–140 kg per tree).
• Distinctive, sweet-tart, spicy flavour.
• Early entry into bearing.
• Good frost resistance.

Origin and Registration

• Country of origin: Estonia
• Breeder: Aleksander Siimon
• Institution: Polli Horticultural Research Centre
• Crossing: ‘Antonovka’ × ‘Wealthy’ (1946)
• Registration: In the Estonian recommended assortment since 1957, officially registered in 1963.

Variety Characteristics

Tree

• Growth: Medium-vigorous.
• Crown: Sparse and spreading.

Fruit

• Size and weight: Medium to large, with a weight of 70 – 100 g (can reach up to 170 g).
• Shape and colour: Round to obtuse-conical. Light yellow, with a distinct pink striped blush on the sunny side.
• Flesh: Yellowish-white, medium firm, juicy.
• Flavour: Distinctive, sweet-tart, spicy.
• Use: Dessert variety, suitable for making juices and for drying.

Resistance and Requirements

• Frost resistance: Good (the trunk is more sensitive to frost in Estonian conditions).
• Disease resistance: Moderately resistant to scab and fire blight. More susceptible to fruit rot.

Cultivation Recommendations

• It has been used as a parent variety in breeding.

Harvest and Storage

• Harvest time: In the second half of September.
• Storability: Until October-November.
• Yield: High and very regular (80–140 kg per tree).
• Entry into bearing: Early.