ISHS Acta Horticulturae 538: Eucarpia symposium on Fruit Breeding and Genetics
HALF A CENTURY COLLECTION AND PRESERVATION OF APRICOT GENETIC RESOURCES IN BULGARIA |
| Authors: | R. Tzonev, E. Tzoneva, M. Dimitrova |
| Keywords: | genotypes, apricot species, varieties, interspecific hybrids |
| Abstract:
More than 600 cultivars and clones are introduced in the Apricot Research Station in Silistra since 1953 from almost all the countries where apricots are commercially grown. They belong to several species: P.armeniaca (including var. ansu), P. mume (including var. bungo and var. coume), P. sibirica, P. manchurica, P. dasycarpa, as well as interspecific hybrids among Prunus species are collected and tested: P. ansu x P. armeniaca, P. mume x P. ansu, P. ansu x P. mume, P. salicina x P. ansu, P. salicina x P. mume, P. manchurica x P armeniaca. Cultivars from East and West European eco- geographic groups, Iran Caucasian group, Mid Asian ones, Far-East cultivars and species, varieties from America and Australia are collected. The resources maintained in Silistra possess a wide diversity of fruit and tree peculiarities: size of fruit from several grams only to more than 100 g; with varying chemical composition of fruit and kernels; with excellent eating and canning quality; from pale-cream to deep red and purple skin colour; apricots with firm flesh, absolutely fuzzless (glabrous) apricots; with very low to extremely high chilling requirements; early and late blooming; with ripening from early June to late September; resistant to Sharka virus, to Monilinia laxa; with various growth habit and shape of the trees. This collection is a good base for successful breading activity - 9 cultivars were released till early 90es. Almost 800 seedlings with valuable characters are selected from the last breeding stage. One hundred twenty one of them combine two superior characteristics, and another six hybrids combine 3 valuable biological and commercial traits. Several rootstocks were also selected: ‘Janka 4’, ‘Greengage CD 4’, ‘Aidemirska’. | |
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