Dwarf

Winter triploid variety developed by VNIISPK and I. V. Michurin Institute of Horticulture, obtained through hybridization in 1954 of the variety Skryzhapely with Pippin saffron. Hybridization was conducted at I. V. Michurin Institute of Horticulture; sowing of seeds and further selection work were carried out at the Oryol Zonal Fruit and Berry Experimental Station (now VNIISPK). Breeders: E. N. Sedov, V. K. Zaets, N. G. Krasova, M. V. Mikhayeva. The variety was accepted for State Testing in 1983 and included in the State Register of Selection Achievements (regionally approved) for the Central Chernozem region.

Trees are relatively low, with a flattened, medium-density crown. Main branches are curved, emerging from the trunk at nearly a right angle, with branch ends pointing downward. Bark on the trunk and main branches is smooth, gray-brown. The predominant type of fruiting structures are simple and complex rings and fruiting spurs.

Shoots are thick, straight, angular in cross-section, brown, and densely hairy. Buds are small and sparse. Buds are pressed, conical, and hairy. Leaves are large, elongated, bluntly pointed, wrinkled, matte, with coarse venation. Leaf blade is concave, bent downward, hairy, with fine-toothed wavy margins. Petiole is thick, hairy, and colored.

Flowers are large, dish-shaped; buds are light pink, petals are also light pink, oval, with raised edges, closed, stigma level with anthers.

Fruits are medium-sized, round, flattened, with prominent, clearly visible ribs. Skin is smooth, dry, shiny. Main color is greenish-yellow, with a covering of red stripes merging into a solid blush over most of the fruit; numerous white subcutaneous dots are clearly visible. Fruit stalk is thick and curved. Calyx is deep, blunt-conical, without rust. Receptacle is small, narrow, strongly ribbed. Flesh is greenish, firm, juicy, finely textured, very succulent, with a pleasant sweet-tart flavor.

The attractiveness of the fruit's appearance is rated at 4.3 points. Taste evaluation is 4.1–4.2 points. According to chemical analyses, fruits contain: total sugars — 10.6%, titratable acids — 0.41%, ascorbic acid — 18 mg/100g, P-active substances — 257 mg/100g.

Exceptionally early-fruiting variety. On strong-growing rootstocks at VNIISPK orchard, it began fruiting at age 4, yield increased rapidly, and by age 10, young trees yielded 170 centners per hectare, whereas the control variety Pippin saffron yielded only 76 centners per hectare. Mature trees exhibit also high, non-sudden fruiting, average yield over the period 1983–93 was 220 centners per hectare. The variety is sufficiently winter-hardy. In the winter of 1978–1979, when minimum surface snow temperature dropped to -37.1ºC, overall freezing damage was minor (1.8 points). Moderately resistant to scab on fruits and leaves.

Advantages of the variety: early fruiting, regular high yield.

Disadvantages of the variety: fruits and leaves are susceptible to scab in wet years.