At the Station of Apple Breeding for Disease resistance, we create apple varieties for a sustainable future
We have 60 years of experience in breeding apple varieties with resistance to diseases and excellent fruit and growing qualities. In breeding, we collaborate with fruit tree nurseries, marketing companies, and other research institutes. We employ traditional breeding and modern molecular methods. Our varieties are grown in both professional orchards and home gardens on several continents.
Which variety will become your favourite?
'Lyra' - NEW
- storable even until August
- very firm, crisp, juicy
- aromatic and delicious
'Dark Topaz' - NEW
- remarkably dark fruit skin colour
- natural mutation of 'Topaz'
- heavy and regular bearing
- low growing demands
- firm, crisp, very juicy
Ellipso® ('UEB 47021') - NEW
- high, regular productivity
- long storability
- very firm, crisp, juicy, aromatic
Opal® ('UEB 32642')
- club variety
- ca. 3.5 mil. trees planted so far
- firm, crisp, non-browning
- aromatic, honey-sweet
'Bonita'
- club variety
- ca. 1.6 mil. trees planted so far
- outstandingly beautiful
- slightly tart
Melinda® Dolcevita ('UEB 6581')
- club variety
- ca. 500,000 trees planted so far
- super-sweet flavour
- firm, crisp, juicy
'Camelot' - NEW
- high, regular productivity
- long storability
- firm, crisp, juicy, refreshing
'Acrobat' - NEW
- compact columnar
- medium firm, crisp, juicy
- balanced flavour
Orange Crisp® ('UEB 6481') - NEW
- high productivity and storability
- very firm, crisp, juicy
- flavour balanced, excellent
What is our apple breeding like?
We feel at home at every stage of the breeding process - from our research and cross-pollination at the beginning to the cooperation with our licence partners and application for plant variety rights. We are in close contact with our partners during the whole process and together bring the best of our work to the world.
Stay up to date with our latest news
'Lyra' and 'Cassiopeia' reigned the winter tastings
(26 November 2025 - 10 January 2026)
This year’s apple tasting season in the Czech Republic brought outstanding recognition for our varieties. Across three prestigious events, our apples demonstrated clear leadership...
Open days 2025
(3 - 4 November 2025)
The traditional Open days at the main seat of the Institute of Experimental Botany in Prague take place every early November and always attract hundreds of curious minds...
TV show "Polopatě" shot in our orchard
(5 October 2025)
An episode of TV show focused on trends in living and gardening "Polopatě" (a pun on "in plain language") was partially shot in our orchard in Střížovice...
They wrote about us
"The highlight of our study trip was undoubtedly the visit of the research station of the Institute of Experimental Botany in Střížovice."
...
"The sales numbers suggest that this is perhaps the most successful apple breeding program focused on disease resistance."
Walter Guerra and Peter Laimer, Obstbau-Weinbau 10/2022
"It is a great example showing the importance of public private partnerships where a public research institute breeds varieties that have high market value, are sold globally and generate high return on investment and more funds to be invested in R&I."
Community Plant Variety Office, LinkedIn, 2022