MANAGEMENT OF APRICOT GENETIC RESOURCES IN ROMANIA

The apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) gene bank in Romania was established in 1949 and developed during 1986 to 2004. Apricot genetic resources have been conserved and evaluated since then. Some of the evaluations have included the transmittal or heritability of desirable phenological and morphological characteristics. These characters include flowering and fruit ripening period, fruit shape, soluble solids content, vitamin C content, fruit acidity, skin and flesh color. In addition adap¬tation to climatic conditions such as resistance to frost, and the resistance to diseases such as susceptibility to plum-pox virus, resistance to a pathogen attack (Monilinia laxa (Aderh et Ruhl) Honey, Stigmina carpofilla (Lev.) M.B.Ellis, Cytospora cincta Sacc.). Breeding strategies are based on genetic studies. The validation of new apricot cultivars with these characteristics demonstrate that the objectives have been met.