Ing. Jaroslav Tupý, DrSc. (1929–2016) was a significant personality of Institute of Experimental Botany of Czech Academy of Sciences (IEB CAS, v.v.i.) and a top expert in several fields of plant science. He participated in basic research of pollen molecular biology, excelled in research of biochemistry and physiology of natural rubber with aim to increase production of latex in plantations (he worked in Ivory Coast, Sri Lanka, Cameroon and Vietnam) and last but not least, he gained a tremendous respect and recognition abroad thanks to results of his applied research – apple breeding for resistance to diseases, to which he devoted almost 50 years of life. He actively contributed to reducing the use of chemical spraying in orchards and improving growth and organoleptic characteristics of apple, particularly productivity and fruit quality.
Dr. Tupý succeeded in raising the awareness of our small republic in the heart of Europe and in attracting foreign business partners. In cooperation with these business partners, it has been possible to commercially apply legally protected apple varieties (mostly by Community Plant Variety Rights in the European Union or by US Plant Patent in the USA) bred by this exceptional breeder on market.
Commercially successful apple varieties from breeding program of IEB are mainly grown in conditions of organic and integrated production. Trees of these varieties are propagated and sold under terms and conditions of license agreements. More than 1,3 million IEB apple trees are sold worldwide annually.
The most commercially successful IEB apple variety is Topaz and its red mutation Red Topaz (in last years, Topaz has been the world´s best-selling apple variety with resistance to scab occupying more than 1 800 ha, with annual sales of almost 400 000 trees). Apple variety UEB 32642 known also under trademark OPAL® is also worth mentioning. This variety is registered in more than 40 countries.