A new table grape cultivar Tiangong Yuzhu

Abstract: Tiangong Yuzhu is a new mid-maturing Vitis vinifera grape cultivar bred by crossing Banana with Red Alexandria by the Institute of Horticulture, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences. In 2010, 578 hybrid seeds were gathered through artificial hybridization pollination at an experimental field. As a 2014 selection, it was selected due to its beautiful appearance, long elliptic shape, muscat fragrance, more juice and sweet taste. As a result of several years of observation, it was finally released as Tiangong Yuzhu in 2017. Young shoot tips are sparsely haired and anthocyanin color intensity is low. Young leaves have a red bronze upper surface and very dense creeping hairs along the main veins. Mature leaves are pentagonal, green and flat. The leaf area is 250.5 cm2 and there are five leaf lobes. The petiole sinus is closed. The serrated leaf margin is straight on both sides. The upper lateral sinus of the leaf is overlapped. Main veins on the leaf surface have weak accumulation of anthocyanins. Its dorsal side internodes are green with red stripes, and its flowers are hermaphrodite. Its inflorescence usually bears between the second and fourth nodes. The inflorescence is cone- shaped and medium compact, and has an average weight of 377.1 grams. The average berry grain weight is 6.8 grams and berry shape index is 2.1. The flesh is much juicy with muscat flavor. Berries contain 19.5% soluble solids, 3.41 grams of acid per kilogram and 63.7 grams of vitamin C per kilogram. The berry ripens in mid-late July in northern Zhejiang area. Bud break rate is 87.3%, inflorescence number per current cane is 1.35, and bearing cane proportion is 96.3%. In Yangtze River Delta region of South China with humid and hot climate, it is suitable for green-house cultivation.