APRICOT VARIETIES IN IRAN (PRUNUS ARMENIACA)
The genus prunus has many species (P. armeniaca, P. manchurica, P. sibirica, P. brigantina) which the most famous is P. armeniaca.
Three of those species are so called Asian-Iranian type.
The siberiany type is the most resistant to cold climate.
In the old time in Iran apricot has not been used as a fresh fruit, although been consummed as dried fruit during winter time to compensate the lack of other fruits.
On the other hand due to perishability and low keeping quality of fresh fruit and lack of good roads for transportation, dried apricot was very popular.
For the time being thanks to good roads, higher income of the people and better varieties more consideration is given to fresh apricot supply.
According to statistics the total dried apricot production every year is 10–12 thousands tons of which 6 000 tons are exported every year.
Apricot as a fresh fruit has got its place in the market with a rather high price. In consequence a large area has been covered with apricot orchard. There are about 20% of apricot production also used as marmalade and canning.
DOI: 10.17660/ActaHortic.1983.121.34
https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1983.121.34