Breeding report of a new hawtorn cultivar Jinhong No.1

Abstract: Jinhong No.1 is a new variety of hawthorn with excellent appearance and good quality. The seeding was derived from a bud mutation of Dajinxing. In 2012, it was initially observed as a bud mutation for its early ripening time. After several years of observation, the results have shown that the cultivar has large fruit, high yield and stable fruit quality. Its coloring stage exceeded 50 days and ripening period was 20 days earlier than Dajinxing. In 2020, the cultivar was identified in the field by the expert, approved by the Forest Variety Certification Committee of Shanxi Forestry and Grassland Bureau, and named Jinhong No.1 (Registration Number: Jin S- SC-CP-027-2020). The tree is vigorous with open crown. Twigs are reddish-brown with distinct yellow-brown spots. The average length of annual branches is 13.9 cm. Leaves are broadly ovate, slightly united on both sides towards the leaf surface. The leaves are large and dark green, 11.7 cm long and 9.6 cm wide. Its fruit is oblate and round, with a longitudinal diameter of 3.08 cm and a transverse diameter of 3.56 cm. The average single fruit weight is 17.4-19.0 g, and the maximum single fruit weight is 25 g. The color of hawthorn surface is dark red, with large and dense dots. The fruit flesh is green and white. The taste is slightly sour and sweet. The fruit shape index is 0.865. There are 4-5 seed nucleus per fruit. The contents of total soluble sugar, titratable acid, ascorbic acid and flavone is 8.44 g·100 g-1 , 2.64%，68.39 mg·100 g-1 and 0.156%, respectively. The fruit is available for fresh and processing. The fruit development period is about 140 d and it matures at mid-August in Jinzhong city, Shanxi province. The inflorescence is large, usually with 15 to 20 flowers. The bud break rate is 61.6%. It is resistant to powdery mildew rust, cold and drought. The fruit has very long storage-life, cold storage life is six months and shelf life are over 150 days. After storage, the fruit aroma is quite strong. Suitable cultivation area is in Jinzhong city and the south of Shanxi, as well as similar climate locations in China. This variety can bear fruits in the third year after planting, and has high yield potential. To establish an orchard, you should choose neutral sandy soil which is flat and has ability of moisture and fertilizer retention. Spacing in the rows and spacing between rows are 3 m× 4 m. The pollinizer is not required. Pruning usually happens twice in spring and summer. In winter, large sick branches are pruned to renew and revitalize, aiming at adjusting the tree vigor. In summer, the main measures such as thinning, pulling and pinching should be taken to adjust for ventilation and light transmission.