‘Wanqing’, a new late-maturing plum cultivar of Prunus salicina Lindl. Wushancuili

Abstract: ‘Wanqing’is a new late-maturing plum selected from Wushan plum populations. This vari- ety has a relatively high vigorous tree growth with the strong abilities of germination and branching. The branch angle of the shoots is relatively larger, which makes the tree semi- open. In Wushan of Chongqing, flower buds germinate in early March, then enter the blooming period in late March with 10 days of flowering period. Leaf buds start to germinate in late March and enter the leaf exhibition pe- riod, and finally enter the deciduous period in mid-late November. Vegetative growth last about 240 d. Fruits mature in early August, which is 30-40 d later than the local Wushan plums. The fruit develop- ment period lasts about 130 days. Fruits of‘Wanqing’are flat and round with slightly concave tips; the stems and suture lines are shallow. Fruits look symmetrical. The skin is green, but occasionally a little red. The fruit peel bloom is thick and the average weight of fruits is 34.9 g. Fruit are freestone with yel- lowish or yellow flesh. The flesh is hard and crisp, which is full of juicy but with little fiber. The flavor tastes sour and sweet, and there is no acuity after fruits ripen. The testing shows that fruits contain 16.4% soluble solids, 8.42% soluble sugar, 0.67% titratable acid and 7.64 mg · 100 g- 1 vitamin C; The trees can get fruits at 2 a after grafting and transplanting the 1a seedlings, and then can enter the fruiting  stage after 4a, and the average yield of 5 a trees is 24.5 kg. This variety is suitable for cultivation at a similar ecological zone in Chongqing three gorges reservoir area.