How to cite Malus domestica in a scientific paper

Proper citation in scientific writing follows the rules of binomial nomenclature.

• First Mention: The first time you use the name in your paper, you should write out the full genus, species, and the "taxonomic authority" (the person who first published the name). The genus and species are italicized. 
  Example:Malus domestica Borkh.
• Subsequent Mentions: After the first use, you can abbreviate the genus name. 
  Example:M. domestica
• Referring to a Cultivar: If you are discussing a specific type of apple (a cultivar), the cultivar name follows the species name and is placed in single quotation marks (and is not italicized). 
  Example:Malus domestica 'Granny Smith' 
  Alternate Example:Malus 'Granny Smith'