A new super soft-seed pomegranate cultivar ‘Zhongshiliu 5’

Abstract:‘Zhongshiliu 5’, selected by ZhengZhou Fruit Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Ag- ricultural Sciences, is a new super soft-seed pomegranate variety. We selected it from cross-fertilize between‘Tunisiruanzi’which was introduced to China in 1986 and‘Zhongshiliu 1’which was selected in 2000. Cross-fertilize were proceeded in 2004. Hybrid fruits were obtained on September 2004, and then seeds of fruits were hid in sand for the winter. Seeds were germinated and sowed in April 2005. 1 163 hybrid seedlings were obtained eventually. The hybrid seedlings were planted in resources nurs- ery of ZhengZhou Fruit Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences with 0.5 m × 2 m distance between plants in March 2006. They were managed under conventional management. Fruits were observed firstly in 2008, The plant growth characteristics and fruit traits were investigated in 2008—2010. One pomegranate superior stain numbered‘03-01-103’was selected which has the advan- tage of super soft-seed, high yield and other aspects of outstanding performance temporarily named‘Zhongshiliu 5’officially. In 2011 more than 2 000 seedlings were obtained by grafting and rapid prop- agation technology. The experimental orchard of‘Zhongshiliu 5’superior line was established. In the spring of 2013, 170 pomegranate trees were grafted in Gaochun town of Xingyang city. The distance be- tween them was 3 m × 4 m. Then regional adaptability testing of this optimal system was at Xinan dis- trict in Luoyang city, Shanyang district in Jiaozuo city, and Xichuan district in Nanyang city with more than 300 strains, spacing 2.5~3 m × 4 m. Moreover,‘Tunisiruanzi’was cultured as control. After con-tinuous observation for many years, the characters of‘Zhongshiliu 5’were fruit large, super soft-seed, high yield, and perfect appearance. Fruit average weight was 494.7g. The appearance of the strain was pretty. The fruit was nearly round, and the fruit peel was bright and clean. The fruit surface was red. The coloring rate was over 85%, and fruit cracking was not obvious. The juicy flavor was sweet and sour, and the juice rate was 83.8%. Besides, the nucleolus super soft-seed (hardness 1.22 kg·cm-2) was edi- ble. The basic trait data of each component of fruit like this: soluble solid content 17%, soluble sugar 13.74%, ascorbic acid content 18.0 mg·/100g-1, total acid (calculated as citric acid) 2.26 g·kg-1, total amino acid 7.30 g·kg-1.‘Zhongshiliu 5’was a small shrub, which performance showed open and grew strong. Young tree’s acupuncture was slightly, and adult tree’s acupuncture was underdeveloped. Annu- al branches were green in sunny side but brown in night side. Perennial branches showed grayish green with rare lenticel. The leaves were long oval with dark green. The average leaf length was 5.7 cm, and width was 2.4 cm. Petiole was red with average length 3.2 mm. There are two kinds of flowers on the same plant: bisexual flowers and functional male flowers. Flowers can appear clusters, pairs and soli- tary. Most of them were clusters. In Zhengzhou, it germinated at the end of March, and the first stubble flowers opened in early May. The flowering period began from May 10 to early June, and the flowering period lasted about 25 days. The period of fruit drop lasts 2-3 days, and the fruit begins to ripen in late September. Then leaves fall in late November, the annual growth period is about 210 days. Fruits main- ly bore on long branches in saplings, but can bore on either long or short branches in adult pomegranate trees. The average yield of 3-year-old tree was 13.2 kg, 26.0 kg in 4-year-old tree, eventually up to 35.6 kg in 5-year-old tree.‘Zhongshiliu 5’was an adaptable variety, which behaved perfect in growth and fruiting in Zhengzhou, Luoyang and Nanyang city Henan province.‘Zhongshiliu 5’was selected from the hybrids of‘Tunisiruanzhi’and‘Zhongshiliu 1’pomegranates, and its cold tolerance was basically the same as that of‘Tunisiruanzhi’. From the south of the Yellow River to the north of the Qinling- Huaihe line is the second suitable cultivation area, winter protection measures must be adopted in special year, and the dry and hot valley area of 1300-1800 meters above sea level on the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau is suitable cultivation area.