Abstract: ‘Meirenzhi’ and ‘Zaozhenzhu’ are two new cultivars selected from old seedling trees of Torreya grandis in Shengzhou county of Zhejiang province in 2023. The progenies were cultivated through scions by grafting method. ‘Meirenzhi’ was initially found and selected in 2012 for its thin seed nucleus and excellent processing flavor, and ‘Zaozhenzhu’ was initially found and selected in 2015 for its extremely thin shell, early anthesis and excellent processing flavor. The maternal plants of both ‘Meirenzhi’ and ‘Zaozhenzhu’ were discovered in two villages of Gulai town, Shengzhou county. The planting of ‘Meirenzhi’ and ‘Zaozhenzhu’ were expanded in 2013 and 2017 through scions by grafting method, respectively. And the DUS testing was completed in November 2023. Finally, the two new cultivars of Torreya grandis were successfully registered in December 2023 after several years’ selection. The two cultivars are both tall and vigorous trees, which the crown shows a performance of circular or semicircular with a height of 10-15 m. Meanwhile, The grafting progenies crown of ‘Zaozhenzhu’ showed more compact and upright compared with ‘Meirenzhi’. Leaves of both cultivars are linear lanceolate. For ‘Meirenzhi’, the average long and wide were 2.15 cm and 0.32 cm, respectively. And for ‘Zaozhenzhu’, they were 2.12 cm and 0.31 cm, respectively. The upper epidermis of their leaves are dark green and the lower epidermis are light green. Both of the two cultivars are dioecism plants, the floral bud of female plant is a mixed bud. The seed with arillus encircled is drupaceous. The seed of ‘Meirenzhi’ performed a nearly ovoid shape with thin nut, and the seed of ‘Zaozhenzhu’ performed a spherical shape with nearly ovoid nut. And they are different from the shape of seeds from Torreya grandis ‘Xifei’. The milky white fleshy roots usually distributed in the loose and breathable soil 10-50 cm underground. For ‘Meirenzhi’, the average mass of fresh seed is 10.77 g, and the average vertical diameter and horizontal diameter of seed is 3.81 cm and 2.25 cm, respectively. The average index of seed shape is 1.69. The average ratio of fresh nut and seed is 26.8%. The mean weight of fresh nut is 2.89 g. The mean vertical diameter and horizontal diameter of nut is 3.46 cm and 1.26 cm, respectively. The mean index of nut shape is 2.74. The mean ratio of dry kernel and nut is 72.54%. The oil content of dry kernel is 59.1%. The content of soluble sugar and protein is 2.94% and 13.1%, respectively. For ‘Zaozhenzhu’, the average mass of fresh seed is 7.98 g, and the average vertical diameter and horizontal diameter of seed is 2.52 cm and 1.44 cm, respectively. The average index of seed shape is 1.21. The average ratio of fresh nut and seed is 33.7%. The mean fruit weight of fresh nut is 2.68 g. The mean vertical diameter and horizontal diameter of nut is 2.48 cm and 1.42 cm, respectively. The mean index of nut shape is 1.75. The mean ratio of dry kernel and nut is 78.68%. The oil content of dry kernel is 57.6%. The content of soluble sugar and protein is 4.17% and 11.0%, respectively. The seed quality is excellent and the product performance is good. The market application prospect is broad in the future. In addition, The anthesis period of ‘Meirenzhi’ is early April, and the mature period is early September of next year. The anthesis period of ‘Zaozhenzhu’ is late March, and the mature period is early October of next year. The seedlings and young trees of both cultivars like cool and damp environments and fear high temperature, drought, waterlogging and intense sunlight. While the mature trees show better environmental adaptability compared with young tress and they are resistant to cold, heat and slight drought to some extent. It showed good uniformity and stability by progeny testing and the shape of seed and kernel quality were consistent with those of maternal plant. Their cultivation techniques are the same as Torreya grandis ‘Xifei’. It is suitable for cultivation throughout the distribution areas of wild Torreya grandis besides Zhejiang. The two cultivars need sandy and fertile soil with the pH value from 5.0 to 7.5. We suggest that the seedlings are planted with 400-600 plants per hectare. The managements should focus on rational fertilization, efficient soil loosening, scientific pruning and integrated management of pests and diseases.
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