NEW APRICOTS FROM A BREEDING PROGRAM IN SAHAND HORTICULTURAL RESEARCH STATION

An apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) breeding project with the aim of creating new cultivars through cross-breeding was started since 1998-1999 at Sahand Horticultural Research Station. In this program, 32 crosses were carried out between local and foreign cultivars and 660 hybrid seeds were obtained. The seeds were planted in pots after stratification and the second year the seedlings were screened in nursery and 450 genotypes were planted on farm. After bearing, vegetative and reproductive characteristics, flowering and fruit traits (more than 50 traits) were studied and recorded for 4 years according to UPOV international guideline and IBPGIR apricot descriptor. 25 promising selections were chosen based on grading and assigning values with respect to some important characteristics and effectiveness of traits. The promising selections were planted in different climatic areas and evaluated until 2008. The characteristics of promising genotypes are presented in this article.