Apple detectives solved mystery of ancient tree and rewrote the history of fruit
14 hours ago
- A routine DNA analysis of an apple sample from Maine revealed a tree matching a predicted 'unknown founder' in the genetic pedigree of North American apples, later identified as the historic French variety Drap d'Or de Bretagne.
- The discovery resulted from collaboration among tree-fruit geneticist Cameron Peace, apple hunter John Bunker, historian Todd Little-Siebold, and other enthusiasts, who used genetic fingerprinting to verify the tree's identity.
- The lost apple tree, found on the Russells' property in Maine, is the only known specimen of its variety in North America, representing a piece of agricultural history brought by early French colonists.
- Apples face threats from diseases like fire blight and changing weather, making it crucial to recover lost genetic resources for breeding new varieties with resilience, flavor, and disease resistance.
- Genetic analysis by scientists like Peace and Nick Howard uses SNP markers to trace apple ancestry and identify valuable traits, aiding in preservation and breeding efforts.
- Three separate Drap d'Or de Bretagne trees were found within 20 miles in Maine, confirming the variety's historical cultivation and the need for continued testing of old trees across the U.S.