Re:Red delicious apples weren’t always horrible
by mcv on Monday August 02, 2021 @02:16PM
(#28040542)
Yet the article talks about breeding Red Delicious for looks and transportability. If it was only cloning, Red Delicious would still taste the same way it did way back then.
Re:Red delicious apples weren’t always horrible
by wincy on Monday August 02, 2021 @11:31AM
(#28037942)
There’s an interesting planet money podcast about the thousands of trees grown to find the honey crisp apple.
https://www.npr.org/sections/money/2015/05/27/410085320/epis...
Re:Red delicious apples weren’t always horrible
by amanaplanacanal on Monday August 02, 2021 @02:10PM
(#28040446)
Individual branches have mutations, and those are cloned for new trees. Which is what the article is about. It doesn't take seeds to have this behavior.
Re:Red delicious apples weren’t always horrible
by the__alchemist on Monday August 02, 2021 @01:49PM
(#28040102)
I may be misinterpreting, but I think the comment you replied to implies natural(artificial?)-selection at the supermarket-selection level; not actual breeding of the trees.
No, fruit trees are predominantly propagated by cloning, by grafting branches into a root stock. This method has been used already in prehistoric times.
New varieties are created by producing seeds, but then they are no longer called the same "breed". There is a big element of luck involved due to cross pollination and only specialized growers practice it.
The issue you mention is common in plants propagated through seeds, such as tomatoes and carrots. Modern tomato varieties are red, big, robust in transport... and tasteless.