Gritikaz

This variety was obtained by E.F. Koroleva, G.T. Kazymin, and V.A. Marusich at DalNIISKh from interspecific crosses (Academician x Spytnik). The variety has undergone state variety trials in the Far East region since 2001.

The tree is large with a moderately dense, spreading crown and strong leafing. The bark on the trunk and main branches is flaking and gray. Shoots are medium-sized and brown. Leaves are large, round, long-pointed, dark green, smooth. The leaf blade is flat, and the leaf margin is finely toothed. The petiole is long and medium-thick. Fruit set is predominantly on cluster branches. Buds are round-oval and lag behind the shoots. Inflorescence is solitary. Flowers are medium-sized and pink. Petal shape is round, and petal closure degree is medium. The calyx is cup-shaped. The pedicel is short. The stigma is positioned above the stamens.

The fruit weighs 25g on average, is 37 mm tall, and 39-33 mm in diameter in two planes. The shape is flat and blunt-tipped. The fruit apex is elongated. The calyx is broad and shallow. The fruit base has an indentation. The peduncle is short and detaches easily from the branch. Attachment to the stone is loose. The main fruit color is yellow with a reddish covering. The flesh is yellow and fibrous. The juice is colorless and tastes sour-sweet. The fruit contains 11.1% dry matter, 8.5% sugar, 1.8% acid, and 7.7% vitamin C. The fruits are suitable for fresh consumption and for technical processing. The fruits have good transportability. The taste evaluation score is 4.5 points. The stone is loose, detaches easily from the flesh, weighs 2.5g on average, is flattened, pointed, and has pits.

Flowering period from May 15 to May 25. The variety is self-sterile. Best pollinators: Khabarovsk, Academician, Early Marusich. Trees enter fruiting stage on the 3rd-4th year after grafting, depending on the quality of the seedlings. The variety is capable of annual fruiting. Yield over the years: 1996 — 35 kg per tree, 1997 — 30 kg, 1998 — 40 kg, 1999 — 45 kg. According to ripening time, the variety belongs to the medium group — ripening occurs around August 5.

The variety’s winter hardiness is high. During the trial period, minor frost damage was observed on the ends of one-year-old shoots (up to 0.5 points). Trees are relatively resistant to clasterosporiosis and pests such as aphids.

Advantages of the variety: high winter hardiness of the tree, high and annual yield, good fruit flavor.

Disadvantages: large stone.