Washington State University announces new apple
After building on the success of Cosmic Crisp and Sunrise Magic, Washington State University’s Office of Commercialization has announced WA 64, a new unnamed upcoming apple cultivar release available through an application process for growers in the state.
WA 64 is a cross between Honeycrisp and cripps pink, according to WSU. The university said it is a medium-vigor, self-thinning tree; its fruit is small or medium-sized and is symmetrical and round, with 40% to 70% of its surface covered with a pink blush over a yellow background.
Other attributes include a crisp and juicy texture but slightly less hard than cripps pink, according to the university. WSU said WA 64 keeps texture characteristics after more than six months of refrigerated-atmosphere storage. The university also said WA 64’s sweetness and acidity range between Honeycrisp and cripps pink.
WA 64 fruit has a high pack-out, is not sensitive to bruising and handles well on a commercial packing line, the university said.
WSU’s Office of Commercialization said it filed a plant patent application for WA 64 and will develop a trademark name for the fruit.
