Susan Brown

Susan Brown, head of the apple breeding program at Cornell AgriTech, delves into the fascinating world of apple genetics and breeding. She explains the intricate process of hand pollination, where pollen is collected to create new varieties. Discover how breeders taste-test thousands of hybrids, discarding those that don't meet expectations, famously known as 'spitters.' Brown also discusses the importance of genetic diversity in apples and how innovative DNA testing could speed up the breeding process for future varieties.