New apple varieties from Washington State University are evaluated and ­commercialized under the following general guidelines. Phase 1: Initial seedling selection and evaluation The Washington Apple Breeding Program evaluates many thousands of seedlings, with input from its Industry Advisory Council. The breeding program identifies selections for ­advancement to Phase 2. Phase 2: Small-scale on-farm trials Two Washington grower-cooperators at representative sites in Washington plant about five trees per selection in test plots under a WSU testing agreement. Grower-cooperators are selected on the basis of the suitability of the sites. A third site is planted at the WSU Sunrise orchard. The breeding ­program […]