Abstract

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Apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) breeding project with aim of new cultivars creating through hybridization was started since 1998-99 at Sahand Horticultural Research Station. In this program, 32 crosses were carried out between local and foreign cultivars and 660 hybrid seeds were obtained. The seeds were planted in pots after stratification and second year the seedling screened in nursery and 450 genotypes were planted on farm. After bearing, vegetative and reproductive characteristics, flowering and fruit traits (more than 50 traits) of genotypes were studied and recorded according UPOV international guideline and IBPGIR descriptor of apricot for 4 years. The results of several years evaluation, 25 promising genotypes were selected based on grading and assigning values with respect to some important and effectiveness of traits. By comparison, AD412, AD732, AD412, AD1042, AD533 and AD841 were high and regular yield and resistance to cold of early spring. “DM 101” was the early ripening with the high fruit quality and suitable for fresh market. Fruit total soluble solids were from 17% in AD741 to 26 % in AD1033 among genotypes. The superior genotypes, as third phase of project, in different climatic areas were planted and they were evaluating since 2008. The characteristics of promise genotypes presented in this article.

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