PENTA AND TARDONA: TWO NEW EXTRA-LATE FLOWERING SELF-COMPATIBLE ALMOND CULTIVARS

Penta and Tardona are the new almond cultivars obtained in the Almond Breeding Program of CEBAS-CSIC, in Murcia (Spain). The objective of our breeding program is to obtain self-compatible almond cultivars that flower as late as possible, in order to avoid frost damage.
Penta comes from the cross between S5133 and Lauranne.
S5133 is a late flowering, self-incompatible selection of CEBAS-CSIC. Tardona comes from the cross between S5133 and R1000. R1000 is a late-flowering, self-compatible French selection.
Both are self-compatible (S₂S_f and S₅S_f, respectively) with a high level of autogamy.
They are extra-late flowering.
In Santomera, where they were selected, they flower 20 and 30 days after Ferragnès.
These differences can be halved in the coldest areas.
These extra-late flowering cultivars reduce more than 80% the risk of damage by frost in comparison with traditional late-flowering cultivars.
Both are very floriferous and productive.
While Penta matures very early, Tardona matures with Ferragnès.
Both are hard-shelled with 27% and 25% of kernel percentage.
The kernel weight is 1 g for Penta, and smaller (0.8 g) for Tardona.
Due to their extra-late flowering, they are recommended for areas with a high risk of frost.
Both have been registered in the Community Plant Variety Office of the European Union.

XII EUCARPIA Symposium on Fruit Breeding and Genetics

F. Dicenta, E. Ortega, P. Martínez-Gómez, R. Sánchez-Pérez, M. Gambin, J. Egea

Prunus dulcis, almond, breeding, extra-late flowering time, self-compatibility

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2009.814.24