Breeding report of a superior early-maturing plum cultivar Jizaohuang

Abstract：Jizaohuang is a new superior early-maturing plum cultivar selected from a crossing between Daganhe and Beifang No. 1. The crossing was made in 1988, and the seeds were sown in the spring of 1989. The fruit quality was investigated in 1994. Based on 6 years of continuous observation, Jizaohuang was finally selected as superior line in 2000, and regional experiments were carried out in Jilin, Gongzhuling, Changchun, Songyuan, Huinan and other places in 2014. Production tests were carried out by Fruit Research Institute of Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences (Gongzhuling) in 2014, and Jizaohuang plum was approved by the Approval Committee for Varieties of Jilin province in June, 2023. The fruit shape was nearly round, the average fruit weigh was 40 g, and the longitudinal and transverse diameters of the fruit were 4.0 cm. The fruit pulp was yellow in color, delicate in texture, with low fiber content and intense fruity aroma, the fruit stone was ovate and the fruit soluble solids content was 16.0%, the total soluble sugar content was 8.25%, and the total acid was 1.02%. The tree gesture was moderately vigorous and semi-open, with highly germinating and branching capability, the average branch length was 63.00 cm and the leaves were elliptic with 6.49 cm long and 10.50 cm wide. The flower buds begined to bloom from late April and the flowering period was approximately 7 days in Gongzhuling. The fruit ripening date was late July and the leaf buds start germinating in mid-October. Jizaohuang plum was resistant to coldness and red spot disease, moderate resistant to brown rot disease. It would be suitable for planting in the areas of Jilin Province.