Here’s Dora, the New Apple Variety that Originated at the University of Bologna

The name “Dora" was chosen for its unique bronze-golden skin. It is a new apple variety that originated from the selection work of researchers from the University of Bologna. This variety stands out not only for the colour of its peel, but also for its crisp, juicy flesh and  refreshing sweet-tart taste, that makes it particularly fresh and pleasant.

Dora (MD02UNIBO*) is a russet apple that originated from the breeding programme of the University of Bologna. It was officially launched on the market at the FruitLogistica exhibition in Berlin (5-7 February). Today this variety, which was further evaluated in Moissac, France, from 2019, is being cultivated by the company RISPE and the nursery ESCANDE, the exclusive European license holders for the new variety in Europe.

“We immediately recognised the exceptional characteristics of this variety, and we got to work to ensure its best possible distribution and market positioning”, say the breeders Roberto Gregori, Stefano Tartarini and Silviero Sansavini from the Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences of the University of Bologna.

 Years of trials have demonstrated Dora’s outstanding potential: high agronomic qualities, high productivity, hardiness and good resistance to the most common diseases.  Additionally, it has excellent storage potential. Harvested in September, Dora can be stored in a controlled atmosphere for more than six months. Thanks to its distinctive appearance, flavour, and post-harvest qualities, Dora is a particularly promising variety from both a production and commercial standpoint.

“It is an exceptional variety, ideal for the producers due to its ease of cultivation, its resistance and its productivity”, says Sébastien Rispe of the company RISPE. “It is also very juicy and crunchy, qualities that meet the market expectations for russet apples”.

Dora has already gained recognition as an interesting and distinctive variety, which, as early as this year, will undergo a significant development plan.