Breeding report of a new apricot cultivar Jingfeihong

Abstract: Jingfeihong (Prunus armeniaca L.) was bred from the cross between Chuanzhihong (late-ripening cultivar) and Luotuohuang (very-early-ripening cultivar) by hybridization. In 2011, about 200 hybrid seeds were obtained through artificial pollination. In 2016, the fruit traits of hybrid fruiting trees were identified. The fruit of Jingfeihong is large with gorgeous appearance. It ripens late and has good fertility. The primary selection code of the single superior tree is H3-41. In 2017, 38 plants were topgrafted and propagated in the breeding nursery of apricot in Tongzhou District of Beijing. From 2018 to 2021, the evaluation of hybrid H3-41 was conducted and the main economic characteristics were good and stable. The fruit maturity stage is between its parents. The fruit flesh is hard and performs better in storage and transportation. This cultivar has long supply period and high yield without obvious disease infection. Four pairs of primers selected by SSR molecular marker technology were used to construct the fingerprints of H3-41. The allelic variation of H3-41 at SSR locus 1 and 3 are heterozygous (189 bp and 221 bp, 172 bp and 179 bp, respectively), and the other two locus 2 and 4 are homozygous (155 bp and 131 bp, respectively), which form its characteristic fingerprint. In April 2023, this cultivar obtained the plant variety rights from the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, formally named Jingfeihong and numbered 20230124. The fruit shape of Jingfeihong is round and symmetry with concaveapex and medium seam depth. The average single fruit weight is 74.5 g and the maximum is 92.6 g. The average vertical, horizontal and lateral diameters of Jingfeihong fruit are 5.08 cm, 5.12 cm and 5.16 cm, respectively. The fruit peel is orange in colour and has gorgeous appearance with some flush on the surface. The flesh is orange and hard with medium juice and fiber content. The fruit tastes good with appropriate ratio of sweet to sour flavor and has slight aroma. The fruit has 13.5% soluble solids, 0.804% fructose, 1.50% glucose, 6.14% sucrose, 0.795% malic acid, and 0.756% citric acid contents. Its kernel is half-freestone and bitter. In Tongzhou District of Beijing, the flower bud break starts in mid-March, full blossom happens in early and mid- April and the flowering period lasts approximately 5- 7 days. The leaf bud expands in mid to late April and leaves completely fall in mid to late November. The vegetative growth period lasts about 210 days. Jingfeihong fruit ripens in late June to early July and the ripening stage is between its parents, about 1 week earlier than Chuanzhihong (early and middle of July), and 3 weeks later than Luotuohuang (late May to early June). The fruit can continue to be harvested about 2 weeks and the supply period is long. Self-pollination does not produce seeds for Jingfeihong, so pollination trees or artificial pollination are required. The ratio of main cultivars to pollination cultivars is (7-9)∶1. Jingfeihong are planted in Beijing for many years, and no serious cold damage for flower buds and branches has happened. The tree and flower buds have strong resistance to freezing damage in winter and early spring. In other aspects of resistance, no special sensitive diseases and pests have been found, and the yield is high and stable, with strong adaptability and excellent comprehensive characteristics. The fruit flesh is hard and easy to store and transport with long fruit supply period. It would be suitable for cultivation in areas with similar climate to Beijing.