Evaluation of Malus species and cultivars at the Fruit Genebank Dresden-Pillnitz and its use for apple resistance breeding

Using the results of evaluation of Malus accessions during the last 20 years more than 15 new resistant apple cultivars were selected. The breeding aim was the combination of different kinds of resistance with good fruit quality. The best of these cultivars enclose resistance against Venturia inaequalis, Podosphaera leucotricha, Erwinia amylovora, Pseudomonas syringae, Panonychus ulmi and winterfrost. Different scab resistance sources (Vf, Vr, VA) found among the Malus species are combined in the most recent breeding lines.The new resistant Pillnitz apple cultivars ('Recultivars®') guarantee the possibility to reduce 80% and more of fungicide spraying in fruit growing and are very suitable for ecological and integrated fruit production. Four of these, 'Reanda', 'Rebella', 'Remo' and 'Rewena', are triple resistant to scab, mildew and fire blight and are good donors for breeding multiple resistance.