Abstract: Guojie, a cutting-edge super-early maturing and hard-flesh apricot cultivar, was developed through artificial hybridization at the Liaoning Institute of Pomology. Its genetic makeup is derived from Sungold, an importet variety with a mild maturation period, serving as the male parent, and Luotuohuang, a domestically sourced super-early maturing variety, functioning as the female parent. In July 2008, 61 hybrid apricot fruits were harvested, with their flesh carefully peeled and seeds meticulously cleaned post-picking. The seeds were then mixed with sand and stored in a refrigerator at a temperature range of 2-7 °C. By mid-October, the seeds germinated. To expedite growth, they were sown into nutrient-rich soil within a solar greenhouse, specifically in a high-density double-row configuration (1.0 m x 1.0 m, with a spacing of 3.5 m) during the following spring. In 2013, Guojie was initially chosen for its distinct attributes, including its short fruit development cycle and hard flesh. Comprehensive assessments of its botanical, biological characteristics, economic traits, adaptability, and resistance were conducted over a three-year period from 2017 to 2019, with observations made at four distinct sites. Following this evaluation, the variety was officially approved and registered by the National Forestry and Grassland Administration in 2021.The Guojie tree exhibits a medium vigor and open canopy structure. Its young branches are smooth, with a reddish-brown color. The leaves are green, characterized by an elliptical shape with a pointed tip, measuring 8.7 cm in length and 6.6 cm in width, and featuring serrated edges. The flower buds are pink, while the petals are pure white. The fruit distribution is uniform and exhibits a regular pattern on the tree. Guojie boasts an appealing fruit appearance, characterized by a bright orange peel that remains uncolored upon maturity. The average fruit size is 53.5g, with some reaching up to 75.3g. The flesh is orange-yellow, featuring a moderate juice content, thin fiber, and outstanding flavor, contributing to its high quality. The fruit has a stone-free attachment to the flesh, and the kernel taste is slightly bitter. Its nutritional composition includes soluble solids at 14.2%, titratable acidity at 8.2%, soluble sugar at 1.1%, and ascorbic acid at 6.2 mg/100g. The firmness is measured at 2.1 kg/cm². Guojie exhibits strong tolerance to storage and transportation, with a long shelf-life of approximately 5 days at room temperature and up to 15 days under 4°C.In Xiongyue (122.15° E, 40.18° N), located in Liaoning Province, flower bud activation commences in early March, with the blooming period lasting approximately 5 days, starting in early April. The fruit development phase spans 55 days, culminating in early June. Leaf fall initiates towards the end of October, marking the end of the growth cycle, which lasts approximately 200 days. The newly introduced variety displays remarkable resilience to bacterial perforation disease and gum flow, accompanied by robust cold tolerance.The variety is ideally suited for cultivation in the southern apricot-producing regions of Liaoning Province. 5-year-old tree is expected to yield 300-550 fruits per plant, translating to a production range of 1000-1500 kg per 667 m2, necessitating controlled cultivation.
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