Nestled amidst natural barriers of hazel, ivy, and briar in Kent, UK, lies a remarkable preservation effort dedicated to safeguarding apple diversity.
The National Fruit Collection, hosted at this location, stands as a testament to the rich variety of apples once prevalent across the British Isles.
The collection features over 2,000 distinct varieties among more than 4,000 trees, showcasing a legacy of horticultural heritage unique to the region. Unlike its counterparts, such as the USDA's Plant Genetic Resources Unit in Geneva, New York, and New Zealand's Plant & Food Research, this collection focuses specifically on the varieties cultivated in Britain, reflecting the nation’s historical and cultural connection to apple cultivation.
Matthew Ordidge, a senior research fellow at the University of Reading and curator of the collection, highlights the cultural importance of apples in the UK. “Despite the contemporary dominance of a few commercial varieties,” he explains, “the shift towards imported varieties in recent decades has marginalized many traditional English apples.”
"There's a history of apple production here," says Ordidgedd, as he recalls a proclamation made a 100 years ago by apple enthusiast Edward Bunyard: "No fruit is more to our English taste than the apple."
Be that as it may, just a handful of apple varieties are grown commercially in Britain now.
"Apple fruit production in the UK is not that big a business," explains Ordidge. "We only produce somewhere around 35% of home produce; we import the rest." Even the apples grown domestically are often of varieties from elsewhere, like Gala (from New Zealand), Jazz (also New Zealand) and Cameo (from the USA).
Apples, being heterozygous, do not reproduce true to type from seed, necessitating grafting techniques to preserve desirable varieties. This method has ensured the survival of genotypes that may date back to the Roman period. Over time, the collection’s role has evolved from supporting domestic breeding initiatives to facilitating genetic research on apples globally.
Recent studies have uncovered complex genetic backgrounds for many varieties, including the discovery of triploidy in some cases, which adds complexity to tracing genetic lineages.
The collection has significantly advanced understanding of apple genealogy. Through genetic markers, researchers have uncovered connections between well-known cultivars and their ancestral varieties, enriching the narrative of apple cultivation and its global importance.
Looking ahead, the collection is preparing to integrate varieties rescued by the Marcher Apple Network, further reinforcing its mission to preserve apple diversity. These ongoing efforts not only contribute to scientific discovery but also celebrate the rich heritage of apple cultivation in the UK and beyond.
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