New apricot selections from the CEBAS-CSIC breeding program (Murcia, Spain) that broaden fruit ripening time

One of the main goals of the CEBAS-CSIC apricot breeding program (Murcia, Spain) is to expand the production calendar with the development of new very early ripening cultivars (second half of April to the first days of May), but also late-ripening cultivars (until mid-July). Other goals considered are floral self-compatibility, resistance to sharka disease (Plum pox virus), high fruit quality and attractive appearance of fruit.
The earliness of the Spanish apricot offering is one of the permanent demands of the production sector, since it confers a huge competitive advantage in international markets.
In this respect, we are working to obtain new cultivars with earlier ripening dates than the current ones, by designing crosses using parents whose low chilling requirements and short flowering/ripening cycles can lead to the desired new cultivars.
In addition, we have also made progress in obtaining medium-late ripening selections, ripening throughout June until mid-July, in order to increase the cultivar offering in this period.
In this work, we report on a set of advanced apricot selections that combine the desirable abovementioned features, both in very early ripening and medium-late ripening material.

XVI International Symposium on Apricot Breeding and Culture

D. Ruiz, A. Molina, M.D. Nortes, A. Molina, E. Ortega, P. Martínez-Gómez, F. Dicenta, M. Rubio, J. Egea

apricot, breeding, sharka resistance, self-compatibility, fruit quality, earliness

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2018.1214.38