Late Unzukul

Variety from the Dagestan Fruit Crops Selection Experimental Station (DSOFC), seedling from open pollination of the 'Subhana' variety. Authors: Sh.G. Batyrkhanov, A.S. Pokrovskaya, N.V. Malinovskaya. Approved for the North Caucasus region since 1997.

Medium-sized, fast-growing tree. Round-extended crown with hanging branches, medium density, medium leafiness. Shoots are medium, slightly curved, red on the sun-exposed side, brown on the underside; young shoot is thin with a reddish-purple tip; many white stipules on one-year shoots; weakly distinct protrusion under vegetative buds; good branching of one-year shoots, producing two waves of premature shoots per year. Buds are grouped; up to 4 buds can be in leaf axils, with lateral generative and central vegetative buds; some are reserve buds. Vegetative buds are terminal or central in groups, small, pointed, pressed against the shoot. Generative buds are rounded, detached from the shoot with visible space between bud and shoot. Leaves are medium-sized, broad, broadly rounded, slightly pointed, green, smooth, matte, leaf blade curved downward with sharply pointed apex, rounded base. Leaf margin finely toothed, slightly serrated at base. Petiole short (25-32 mm), pigmented, with two or four tiny glands. Flowers are rose-like, medium-sized, solitary, stigma below anthers, petals rounded, moderately open. Calyx cup-shaped, flower stalk medium.

Fruits are medium-sized (40 g), moderately one-dimensional, flat-oval, compressed on sides. Fruit apex moderately elongated, depressed with a 'nose', base bluntly elongated, median depth of ventral suture, distinct, short and medium pedicel, easily detaches from branch and fruit. Main fruit color is yellow, covering color is yellow-red, mottled. Skin is medium, slightly pubescent. Flesh is orange, tender, firm, juice light red, sour-sweet. Pit detaches easily from flesh, constitutes 8.38% of fruit mass, flattened, inverted egg-shaped with depressed base, elongated and pointed, 5 mm open in dorsal suture, with small pores, two lateral prominences on ventral side. Surface slightly rough, light brown. Kernel is sweet, constitutes 3.25% of fruit mass. Fruits contain - dry matter - 14.52%, sugars - 9.45%, acids - 1.76%, ascorbic acid - 13.3 mg/100g.

Flowering period is medium - April 14-24; ripening is very late - August 18-20; fruiting starts at age 6; tree longevity is young, but trees planted in 1962 still fruit normally. Flowering and fruiting occur on spurs and mixed one-year shoots, some generative buds are reserve buds, flower and fruit drop after frost (confirmed in 1999, 2000, 2001 when temperature dropped to -6°C after flowering), yield is regular, partially self-fertile.

No damage to shoots or branches from winter frosts. Generative bud damage at -25°C on March 10, 1985, was 33%. Drought resistance is high. Disease damage: moniliosis burn - 1 point, clasterosporiosis - 2 points. No other disease or pest damage noted since 1997.

Average yield of fruits from 1984 to 2001 - 102.7 centners per hectare, maximum 209 centners per hectare - fruit appearance attractive (4.6 points); flesh sweet, balanced acidity, distinctive aroma, taste rating 4.6 points; pedicel easily detaches from fruit; fruits are transportable, can be stored for 12-14 days.

The variety is used to increase yield and extend the consumption and processing season of apricots. Suitable for intensive orchards.

Advantages: high annual stable yield, high fruit flavor, high processing quality, resistance to climatic anomalies - secondary flowering after frost, flower and fruit drop. Moderate disease resistance. Disadvantages: hanging branches in young trees; medium fruit size, large pit.