Columnar apple tree (Malus domestica) VALYUTA

Columnar Apple (Malus domestica) 'Valyuta'

A Russian columnar variety with immunity to scab and long storability.

'Valyuta' (Валюта) is a Russian winter columnar apple variety, valued for its immunity to scab (Vf gene), high frost resistance, and low maintenance. It is characterized by a very early entry into bearing, high yield, and the production of large fruits with a dessert flavour and very long storability.

Main advantages of the variety:

• Immunity to scab and high resistance to other diseases.
• High frost resistance.
• Dessert flavour and long storability of fruits.
• High yield and very early entry into bearing.
• Low maintenance.

Origin and Registration

• Country of origin: Russia
• Breeders: V. V. Kichina, N. G. Morozova
• Institution: All-Russian Horticultural Institute for Breeding and Agrotechnology (VSTISP)
• Crossing: KV 6 × OR38T17 (1986)
• Registration: Included in the State Register in 2004.

Variety Characteristics

Tree

• Growth: Grows to a height of 2.5 m.
• Crown: Columnar, compact, with a diameter of 20–30 cm.
• Fruiting habit: Bears fruit on short fruiting spurs (kolchatkas).
• Flowering: In the second half of May. The flowers are medium-sized, white-pink.
• Pollination: It is partially self-fertile.

Fruit

• Size and weight: Medium to large, with a weight of 130 – 240 g.
• Shape and colour: Round-conical. Light yellow, with a diffuse orange-red to bright pink blush.
• Skin: Thin, firm, smooth, glossy.
• Flesh: White to creamy, firm, juicy, fine-grained.
• Flavour: Dessert, sweet-tart, with a strong aroma (rating 4.3/5).
• Use: Versatile, but especially suitable for fresh consumption due to its dessert flavour.

Resistance and Requirements

• Frost resistance: High (down to -38 °C).
• Disease resistance: Thanks to the Vf gene, it is immune to scab. It also has high resistance to other fungal diseases and pests.
• Drought resistance: Medium.

Cultivation Recommendations

• To ensure a high yield, it needs pollinators, for example, ‘Medok’ or ‘Prezident’.
• It has a limited lifespan; yield decreases after 14–16 years.

Harvest and Storage

• Harvest time: In the first decade of October.
• Storability: Very long, until mid-February.
• Yield: High, 5–11 kg per tree.
• Entry into bearing: Very early, 2nd year after planting.
• Transportability: Good.