Latin name:Malus domestica.

Varietal denomination: Regal ‘D27-16’.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a new, novel, and distinct variety of apple tree, and which has been denominated varietally as ‘D27-16,’ and more specifically, to a novel apple tree with an upright growth habit with moderate vigor. The novel apple tree produces a unique golden fruit that exhibits uniform skin color when mature, and whose lenticels are not raised and nearly indistinct. The flesh is very firm and quite sweet with a moderate tartness. The fruit when cut is slow to brown and lite in degree. The tree is a spur type and is a tip bearer.

ORIGIN AND ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION

It has long been recognized that an important factor contributing to the success of a new variety of apple tree bearing fresh market fruit is its growing characteristics as well as characteristics of its fruit. Another significant factor affecting the commercial viability of a new variety of apple relates to its storage characteristics, and which are reflected by pomological traits such as fruit pressure and soluble solids to name but a few.

The new variety of apple tree described herein was derived by the following methodology.

The new variety ‘D27-16’ was asexually reproduced in Quincy, Wash. For example, ‘D27-16’ was derived by a controlled pollination of ‘8S6923’ (application Ser. No. 11/003,323) with the pollen of ‘Honeycrisp’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.7,197) in the spring of 2008. Seeds from this cross were collected in the spring of 2009. Seedlings grew for two seasons, after which buds from each seedling were budded onto M9 rootstock. In the spring of 2012, the seedlings were planted in a research plot located near 3560 RD 5 NW, Ephrata, Wash. 98823. Fruit from these trees were observed in the fall of 2013, and ‘D27-16’ was selected. Second generation trees were budded onto M9 and planted in the spring of 2014 at 9761 Road U NW, Quincy, Wash., 98848. Fruit generated from the second-generation trees have been studied and compared and it appears that all characteristics of the subsequent asexually reproductive trees remain true to that seen in the original first generation tree.

SUMMARY OF NEW VARIETY

The ‘D27-16’ apple tree is characterized as to novelty by its distinctive traits from its parent varieties, ‘8S6923’ (application Ser. No. 11/003,323) and ‘Honeycrisp’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.7,197P). By way of example, ‘D27-16’ exhibits spur-type characteristics, exhibits upright growth habit with moderate vigor as grown on M9 rootstock, is a mid-season bloomer and will allow for pollination from any other diploid apple of the same bloom season. Fruit at maturity has a unique and uniform golden color, whose lenticels are not raised and nearly indistinct. The flesh of ‘D27-16’ is very firm and quite sweet with a moderate tartness. Then cut, the fruit is slow to brown and is lite in degree. The fruit exhibits 3+ months of common storage life.

‘D27-16’ is distinct from its female parent, ‘8S6923’ (application Ser. No. 11/003,323). For example, both the ‘D27-16’ and ‘8S6923’ produce juicy fruit best used for dessert that is firm and sweet, and has an excellent shelf life. Both ‘D27-16’ and ‘8S6923’ hive a high productivity and are considered hardy. However, the shape of the ‘D27-16’ is flat slender code and generally spur and tip bearing habit, while ‘8S6923’ is spreading and mainly spur bearing.

The closest known antecedent to ‘D27-16’ is the ‘Honeycrisp’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.7,197P). The following are some characteristics to distinguish ‘D27-16’ from the ‘Honeycrisp.’ ‘D27-16’ and ‘Honeycrisp’ are both upright with smooth bark. However, the lenticels of ‘D27-16’ are significantly smaller than those of the ‘Honeycrisp,’ which exhibits prominent lenticels. The ‘D27-16’ leaf is smaller, both in length and width, than the leaf of the ‘Honeycrisp.’ The fruit of ‘D27-16’ is smaller in diameter than the ‘Honeycrisp,’ but both the ‘D27-16’ and the ‘Honeycrisp’ have crisp and juicy flesh.

The closest known antecedent to ‘D27-16’ that is not a parental variety is the ‘Golden Delicious’ (unpatented). Both ‘D27-16’ and ‘Golden Delicious’ exhibit similar fruit taste, fruit shape and yellow color of fruits. However, the fruit of ‘D27-16’ is very firm, while the skin of ‘Golden Delicious’ is prone to bruising and shriveling.

