The Amazing Apple
The domesticated apple, Malus domestica, is an important fruit crop grown in most of the world. The United States is a major apple producer and consumer. The United States ranks third in apple production and Americans ate an average of 9 pounds of fresh apples in 2021 according to USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service.
Researchers believe that central Asia—Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan in particular—is likely the ancestral home of familiar domestic apples (Malus x domestica) such as Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, and McIntosh. Centuries of selection and propagation across Asia, Europe, and North America resulted in an array of apple cultivars rich in quality and cultural significance.
Apples Are an All-American Success Story
Apples are an abundant and healthy fruit that’s available year-round in most markets. ARS has played a key role over the years in the quality, variety, and production of apples. For example, the apples today can be stored for as long as 9 months, and they’ll still remain crisp, thanks to controlled-atmosphere-storage methods devised by ARS. Our fruit-breeding research has enabled farmers and nurseries to provide consumers with more abundant, healthy, and flavorful new varieties every year. ARS is collecting and preserving the world's bounty of apple genestock, so that the apples of tomorrow may be even sweeter, crunchier, and better than ever. Never before have growers had a better chance against pests and diseases in the apple orchard, thanks to new, nonchemical biocontrols. ARS scientists have worked to harness naturally occurring yeasts and bacteria and turn them against apples' enemies. And our researchers have developed robotic tools built on AI technology to drastically improve the way apples are picked, sorted, and treated for pests and diseases.
ARS researchers are at the forefront of innovative new technologies in orchard management to help growers reduce losses, maximize yields, and provide consumers with a sweet (and sometimes tart!), crunchy, healthy snack. Check out our research highlights below:
