History and Identification of Historic Homestead and Orchard Apple Cultivars in Wyoming

Download or read book History and Identification of Historic Homestead and Orchard Apple Cultivars in Wyoming written by Jonathan T. Magby and published by . This book was released on 2018 with total page 204 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Apples played a significant role in America's westward expansion. In Wyoming, there are reports of 29 cities that grew apples from the beginning (1870) to the rapid decline (1940s) of apple production. According to our review of the literature, 218 apple cultivars were tested or successfully grown in Wyoming's cold, windy and drought-prone climate between 1870 and 1940. Sixty-two of the 218 cultivars reported in Wyoming Agricultural Bulletins (WGB) and University of Wyoming Experimental Fruit Farm Station Bulletins (EFFB) originated from Russia, Wisconsin and Minnesota. Unfortunately, cultivar identity of these trees has mostly been lost or obscured. Leaf samples were collected from 510 heritage apple trees from 91 sites in 19 locales across Wyoming. Overall, 328 (64%) of the previously unidentified apples trees were identified to 47 known cultivars. Fifteen of these known cultivars comprised over 80% of the samples that were identified, with all 15 of those cultivars developed in states and countries with average temperatures or winter conditions similar to Wyoming. As original Wyoming heritage apple trees reach the end of their lifespan, many surviving trees continue to produce fruit. This strongly suggests that despite less resistance to certain pathogens than many modern cultivars, these heritage trees should be considered for use today. Current conservation efforts seek to capture the cultivar diversity of Wyoming's heritage apple varieties. Ongoing orchard restoration projects at the Ed Young Orchard (e.g. now Nanette Slingerlands Spear S Produce Company) and University of Wyoming Experimental Fruit Farm Station (e.g. now CWC Field Station in Sinks Canyon) are preserving original trees and a Wyoming heritage apple collection is being developed at the Sheridan Research and Extension Center orchard located in Sheridan, WY. The purpose of this research was to identify heritage apple cultivars in Wyoming using genetic fingerprinting (microsatellite) techniques and to use this information to make recommendations on candidate cold-hardy cultivars for specialty crop and breeding programs. Information about the history of as well as access to Wyoming's heritage apples (including information found on our website) will help specialty crop growers, local nurseries, and residents conserve and select apple cultivars that may be productive in Wyoming's challenging climatic conditions.