Improved Caucasian

A vigorous type variety, developed at the North Caucasus Regional Institute of Horticulture and Viticulture (Krasnodar). Obtained through mutagenic selection in the vegetative generation of the 'Caucasian' variety, induced by gamma radiation. Promising for creating low-growing orchards in industrial and farmer enterprises in southern Russia. Accepted for state testing since 1995 in the North Caucasus region. Authors: E.M. Alekhina, S.N. Artiukh.

Tree with moderate growth, round-oval, slightly spreading crown, well-branched, medium density. Shoots with a slight silvery coating. Buds of medium size, vegetative conical, generative oval, moderately deviated from the shoot. Leaves dark green, medium size (17.5 x 9 cm), base broadly wedge-shaped, apex long-pointed, leaf margin doubly toothed with flat upper surface and slight pubescence along veins on lower surface. Petiole of medium length and thickness, intensely colored along entire length. Stipules located two per petiole, oval, pigmented. Flowers arranged in inflorescences of two to four, medium size, cup-shaped, petals rounded, freely arranged, with light pink coloration. Calyx cup-shaped, colored. Stamens of medium size, stigma long (18 mm), positioned above stamens.

Fruits fairly large (2.4 x 2.3 x 2.1), average weight 7 g, maximum 8 g, broadly oval. Fruit apex rounded with depression, wide shallow cavity, covering color dark red, flesh and juice intensely colored. Flesh medium density, juicy. Pit oval (0.2 g), light beige, apex and base rounded, easily separates from flesh. Pedicel medium length, easily separates from fruit, dry detachment.

Fruits attractive, simultaneously ripening, high flavor quality (taste evaluation 4.8 points), resistant to cracking. Contain 17% dry matter, 11.7% sugars, 0.32% acids, 220.7 mg/100g anthocyanins, 65.6 mg/100g vitamin P, 11.0 mg/100g ascorbic acid. Fruits transportable, high dessert quality, suitable for various processing methods.

Variety with early flowering and early ripening (May 25 — June 2). Enters fruiting at age 5. Self-sterile. Fruit production concentrated on flower clusters of various ages and one-year-old shoots. Shows sufficient winter hardiness and moderate resistance to spring frosts. Drought-tolerant. Yield in favorable years high, reaching 130 t/ha during full fruiting. Resistant to major fungal diseases, weakly infested by aphids, no signs of cherry fly infestation. Suitable for intensive orchards.

Advantages: early ripening, high fruit commercial quality, high disease resistance, moderate tree growth.

Disadvantages: insufficient resistance to spring frosts.