Next generation apple breeding for resilient UK production

NIAB

Project objectives

The control of fungal diseases in apple significantly adds to production costs. The long-term aim of the industry is to breed apples with resistance to these diseases. However, breeding is a long-term process and typically takes 20-25 years from crossing to release. In this project NIAB scientists are working with WorldWide Fruit Ltd to develop novel breeding methodologies that will enable a shorter breeding cycle for apple and ensure a faster route to market for resistant varieties. The methodologies will include the use of genomic selection, marker assisted selection and speed breeding.