A new early-ripening Prunus salicina cultivar, Zaofurong

Abstract: Plum (Prunus salicina) is distributed in many parts of China, and is cultivated all over the world. Plum is preferred by consumers due to its high nutritional value. It can serve as table fruit or be processed into various food products. In the 1990s, in order to fully explore the high-quality germ-plasm of plum and breed new plum cultivars with good taste, appearance, size and early maturity, the plum research group of the College of Horticulture (Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University) car-ried out the investigation of Nai plum variety resources in the planting areas across Fujian province and cross breeding. In June 2000, an early maturing bud mutant was found in Baoshang Fruit Garden(E116°09′39.01″, N25°67′52.02″, altitude 453 m) in Shuangqian village, Sibao Town, Liancheng Coun-ty. After many years of multi-point observation, investigation and analysis, the strain showed early ma-turity, high quality, good yield, strong adaptability, short growth cycle and stable excellent characters.Through comprehensive evaluation of fruits and other important economic characters, a new early ma-turing variety Zaofurong with high yield, good fruit quality and strong adaptability was selected. Since 2002, regional pilot demonstration orchards of Zaofurong have been established in different climatic areas of Fujian Province, and systematic observation of biological characteristics and regional ecologi- cal adaptability, and fruit traits and development of cultivation techniques have been carried out. The extensive planting and cultivation of Zaofurong in Fujian Province has effectively improved the plum variety structure and economic profit in Fujian Province. Zaofurong is a new plum cultivar domesticat ed from the germplasm in Shangshi Village, Sibao Town, Liancheng County, Fujian Province. The fruit is nearly round; the top of the fruit is flat and slightly convex; the stem end is deep, and the su-ture is obvious and symmetrical. The average single fruit weight is 66.55 g and the fruit shape index 0.95. At maturity, the fruit peel is thick and bright red in color, and the pulp is dark red, dense, nearly fiberless, sour and sweet, and palatable. The flesh recovery is 96.1% and the content of soluble solids 12.97%. The maturity period of Zaofurong is from the end of June to the beginning of July, which is 15-20 days earlier than the Furong plum. The yield of adult trees per 666.7 m² can reach 2 541.9 kg (237 plants per 666.7 m²). Zaofurong has no strict requirements on environmental conditions. The new cultivar is a slow flowering variety and produces a large number of flowers. Before fruiting, some weak and excessive flowers should be removed to reduce the nutrient consumption, which improves fruit set. Attention should be paid on measures to prevent and control diseases and pests in different periods.