Breeding of a new Elaeagnus moorcroftii L. variety Yafeng in Xinjiang

During 2011, when we conducted a survey of the varietal resources of Elaeagnus moorcroftii, a 19-year-old Yafeng tree was found in the Shelterbelt beside a cotton field in Shaya County, Aksu Region, and its father and mother were unidentified. After regional trials in Atushi, Hotan, Moyu, and Wensu, its characteristics are stable. In 2022, the State Forestry and Grassland Bureau granted the first batch of new plant variety rights to the list of Yafeng, and in 2023, it passed the recognition of good varieties by the Forestry and Grassland Bureau of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. The average height of Yafeng is 5 m, the diameter at breast height is 18 cm, the main trunk is grayish brown, and the branches are brownish red, without thorns. The leaves are simple and alternate, oblong- ovoid, entire, and obtuse, with an average leaf length of 7.25 cm and width of 2.2 cm. Yafeng belongs to the E. moorcroftii yellow fruit series of large-fruited and early-maturing varieties. The skin of the fruit is thin, deep yellow, the surface of the fruit is bright with few scales covered, the flesh of the fruit is fluffy, and the taste is sweet and delicate, with astringent flavor. The fruit is long ellipsoid, with short stalk, average longitudinal diameter of 2.89 cm, transverse diameter of 1.80 cm, and average single fruit mass of 2.03 g; the yield of single plant can reach 10-12 kg in full-fruiting period, and the edible rate is 78.03%. The kernel is long ovate, with an average diameter of 2.2 cm longitudinally and 0.55 cm transversally, full and plump, with an average weight of 0.45 g per kernel. The fruit contains 124 mg·kg-1 calcium, 254 mg·kg-1 magnesium, 38.6 mg · kg-1 iron, 10.0 mg · kg-1 zinc, 5.96 mg · kg-1 copper, 7.2 mg · 100 g-1 ascorbic acid, 32.0 g · 100 g- 1 fructose, 21.4 g · 100 g- 1 glucose, 766 mg · 100 g- 1 total phenols, 4.5 g · 100 g- 1 ash and, 43.9 g · 100 g- 1 starch. This variety in Shaya region of Xinjiang begins to sprout in mid-March, the leaves grow by the end of March, the first flowering period is in mid-April and full bloom period is in early May, sets fruit at the end of May, fruits mature in late September, and leaf fall is from early to midNovember. Yafeng is highly adaptable and can tolerate salinity, barrenness, drought and cold. Protection forest cultivation mode can adopt 1.5 m × 2 m, or 2 m × 2 m spacing. Orchard or piece of forest cultivation mode, can use 4 m × 5 m or 3 m × 6 m spacing. Yafeng branching ability is strong, lateral branch growth is fast, bud notching, de-budding and branch thinning need to be strengthened. Irrigation is needed 4 to 6 times throughout the year. From May to June, nitrogen and potash fertilizers should be mainly applied, and from July to August, phosphorus fertilizer should be applied as the main component of the compound fertilizer. Early control of pest and disease damage is necessary, if any, during the growth of the tree. It can overwinter and be cultivated in an upright position in both southern Xinjiang and the northern slopes of the Tianshan Mountains, and is suitable for use as a breeding parent for dry fruit varieties.