Breeding report of a new crisp-fleshed table grape cultivar Cuiguang

Abstract: Cuiguang is a new table grape variety with excellent appearance and quality. The female par- ent of Cuiguang is Kyoho, and its male parent is Zaoheibao. Through artificial hybridization pollina- tion, more than 3000 hybrid seeds were got in 2003. The seedlings were planted in vineyard in 2004. One hybrid was initially selected in 2009 for its crisp-hard flesh and medium ripening. It’s about 10 days earlier ripening than Kyoho. After four years of observation and five years regional adaptability testing at three sites (including Changli county, Luannan county, Huailai county, Henan province). Cui- guang was awarded by the Committee of Hebei Cultivar Registration in 2019. Cuiguang belongs to Eu- ro-American hybrids, the vigor of plant is strong. The shoot tip is half open with medium-density hair, the shoot is half upright, and the intensity and distribution of anthocyanin coloration is heavy. The color of dorsal and ventral side of internodes is green with red stripes. The under surface of the young leaf is spinach green color while the upper surface is pea green color. Density of erect hairs and prostrate hairs between veins at lower surface is sparse. The shape of the mature leaves is pentagonal with undulate sides, medium thickness while the blade margin is pronounced in undulation. It is open and V shaped in petiole sinus. The teeth of the mature leaves are short with convex sides. Tooth at petiole sinus is absent and limited by veins. Upper lateral sinus is closed and medium-deep, lower lateral sinus is open and shallow. The upper surface is green with rugose texture and glossy appearance. Anthocyanin coloration of main veins on lower leaf surface is extremely weak. The average length of leaves is 14.3 cm, and the width is 18.5 cm, the average length of petiole is 10.6 cm. The clusters are typically large in size, coni- cal in shape and medium in compactness. The berry is elliptic shaped, 26.5 mm in long and 23.8 mm in diameter, and average berry mass of 10.9 g. The berries are usually purplish red with uniform in shape and medium-thickness skin. The flesh is juicy and crisp, and the average soluble solid content is more than 19.0%. Each berry contains 1 to 3 seeds. The germination period is in mid-April, the flowering pe- riod is in late May, and the maturity period is in mid-August. The rate of fruiting shoot is 53.3% on aver- age and the yield is about 23.4 tones per hm2. Vertical trellis system and fan shaped pruning were recom- mended in the northern area. The vine has medium to strong resistance to white rot and downy mildew. A spray program suitable for disease control with most Euro-American hybrids cultivars should be ap- plied. This grape variety is suitable for short branch pruning. Balanced application of both organic and chemical fertilizers based on the plant every germination and development period.