Italian fruit breeder Consorzio Italiano Vivaisti (CIV) has developed two new clones of Gala that it claims stand out as they develop colour earlier than other Gala clones.
The first, named T-Rex®/CIVT15*, forms colouring earlier than other Gala clones, even in lowland areas where this is more difficult to achieve, and shows “excellent uniformity” in both ripening and size, and produces larger fruit of a conical shape. The company says that Asian markets are showing strong interest in the variety, which has “excellent growth prospects globally”.
The second clone is a striped apple called Tigergala®/CIVS15* which develops “intense striping” earlier than other varieties. CIV believes that Tigergala can help with some of the challenges caused by climate change, especially in lowland areas.
CIV’s commercial director Federico Stanzani said, “Interest in Gala T-Rex is growing among growers due to its distinctive characteristics – the uniform red colour over the entire surface and the large size. The fruit catches the attention of consumers and buyers on the shelf. The stability of T-Rex impressed our breeders, who decided to select this clone for its production advantages. Even in lowland areas, where early colouring is more difficult to achieve, T-Rex has demonstrated this crucial feature,” CIV stated. “It also has a more compact habit than the traditional Gala”.
T-Rex and Tigergala are exclusive varieties only available from CIV member nurseries Mazzoni Vivai, Tagliani Vivai and Salvi Vivai.
