How and why do people manipulate the traits of apples?
Around the world, there are hundreds of different kinds of apples. Each kind has a specific set of traits that make it unique from the rest. Because offspring resemble their parents, apples that are formed have the traits of both the tree it grew on, as well as the other apple tree that pollenated it. Farmers often manipulate the traits in apples based on several factors. Orchards are more likely to choose apple varieties that produce fruit that is both what the consumer will buy and that is easy to grow and harvest. Hybrid apples are the result of cross-pollinating certain types. The honeycrisp apple was created by crossing the Malcoun apple with the Honeygold apple. Today, Honeycrisp apples are one of the most expensive and delicious apples on the market. As trees begin producing apples, the farmers will choose to grow new trees from the seeds of the trees that grew the best quality and quantity of apples.
Students observed and tasted different varieties of apples and recorded the traits they saw. They were able to compare the apples’ colors, tastes, sizes, crispness, and even how quickly some apple slices turned brown.
Students also learned that it is possible to graft apple tree branches onto another apple tree. Orchards may have a strong apple tree with bad apples and a weaker tree with great apples. The branches with the great apples can be grafted onto the stronger tree. People may also graft because it is possible to have a single tree that grows several kinds of apples. Students watched a short internet clip of a tree that held over 250 kinds of apples!
The Pink Lady was Sarah’s favorite!
Gavin and Ashton saw that the apples were different sizes.
Granny Smith apples are sour!