Fruit industry upgrading supported by new germplasm creation: Case study on the utilization of germplasm resources of red-fleshed apple and ‘Kuerlexiangli’pear and the sports selection of‘Red Fuji’

Abstract: Evaluation，mining and innovative utilization of germplasm resources are important features of modern agriculture. Xinjiang，China，is the origin and evolution center of many deciduous fruit trees such as apples，and has extremely rich germplasm resources. This review systematically introduces the research progress in the resource evaluation，mining and innovative utilization of Malus sieversii f. niedzwetzkyana，‘Red Fuji’，and‘Kuerlexiangli’pear resources in Xinjiang in recent years. The main contents of this review include the theory and technology innovation of red-fleshed and red-skinned ap-ple breeding，new varieties cultivation and matching technology research and development of support- ing technologies，and the creation of new varieties of high-quality，storage-resistant and late-maturing pears. These results provide important support for the upgrading of the apple and pear industry.