Overview and prospect of apricot breeding in China

Apricot (Armeniaca Mill.) belongs to the subfamily Prunoideae of the family Rosaceae. Apricot fruit is not only rich in nutrition and beautiful in color, but also has a strong flavor, being considered one of the most delicious fruits of temperate zones, deeply loved by consumers. The cultivation of apricot in China has a long history of 3000-4000 years, and the species has formed various varieties and types through the long evolution process, including lots of excellent local varieties. In order to meet the needs of apricot industry, modern apricot breeding in China began in the late 20th century. In the early stage, domestic varieties selection was the main goal. During the 1980—1990s, the apricot breeding process in the Northeast of China developed rapidly. The scientific research institutions in the three provinces of the Northeast carried out selection from the local varieties and obtained about 20 apricot varieties. From the 1990s, the apricot breeding gradually expanded from the Northeast to the North China region. According to incomplete statistics, about 158 new apricot varieties were publicly released in China in the past 50 years. The release of new varieties has witnessed three peaks in breeding. The first peak (1980—1990s) primarily featured selection of local cultivars, yielding superior varieties like Chuanzhihong and Luotuohua known for their strong adaptability and excellent quality. The second peak (early 21st century) marked a strategic shift from selection breeding to artificial hybridization, producing varieties with staggered maturation periods. The current peak (past decade) has focused on directional crossbreeding targeting high commercial value traits (e.g., firm flesh, high sugar content, storage/transport durability). Many varieties have been successfully developed by incorporating foreign cultivars as parental material, such as Hongyan, Meishuo, Longxing 2, Jinhui, Guojin The varieties bred from seedling selection accounted for 56.4% and and from hybrid breeding 41.1%, only a few from bud sport. Amomg these varieties 65 were early-maturing ones, accounting for 79.3%. 19 new varieties have been bred in China in recent years with large fruit. The author drawed a pedigree chart of 69 apricot varieties, and fond out that in addition to 23 apricot varieties bred from foreign varieties such as Sungold and Katy, the parents of the most newly bred varieties were excellent local varieties in China such as Chuanzhihong, Luotuohuang, Honghebao, Erhuacao, Lanzhoudajiexing, Yiwofeng, Longwangmao. The problem of narrow genetic base had limitations to breeding new varieties. The total area of apricot cultivation in China has showed a continuous increase, although the global production is decreasing. This article would provide a reference basis for the apricot variety improvement and innovation work in China.