Results of studying the morphobiological characteristics of promising forms of apricot in rainfed conditions of the Orenburg region

Abstract

Variety study and selection of apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) is an important scientific task, since the fruits of this crop are rich in nutrients and biologically active substances, the plants are unpretentious in care and can produce a commercial crop in a sharply continental climate. The object of the research was 10 promising forms of apricot from the collection of the Orenburg branch of the Federal State Budgetary Institution FSC Horticulture, which were studied during 3 growing seasons using generally accepted methods. A high diversity of morphological characteristics of generative organs in the studied forms of apricot and their general morphological characteristics were revealed: light green color and elongated leaf shape with a single serrated edge of the leaf blade. The stable productivity of selected forms, which was up to 24 % higher than the control and amounted to 15-16 kg per tree (forms SI-ZV-6-1 and D-36), allows us to identify sources of economically valuable traits for breeding work and possible candidates for new varieties among studied objects.