Parshin's Memory

Early-autumn variety selected by VNIISPK, obtained by crossing Bere Zimnya Michurin and Bergamot Autumn. Breeders: E. N. Sedov, A. V. Parshin, M. V. Mihayeva. Approved for cultivation in the Central Chernozem zone, also grown in the Central zone, popular among amateur gardeners.

Trees are vigorous with a broad-pyramidal crown.

Shoots of medium thickness or thin, curved, round in cross-section, without hairs, brownish, bent. Buds are small, bent away from the shoot, conical, without hairs. Large stipules are clearly visible on the shoots. Leaves are medium-sized, elongated-oval, matte, green with a bluish tint. Leaf blade is concave, margins finely toothed and wavy, raised. Apex is long-pointed. Bracts are large, lanceolate. Petioles are long, slender, with anthocyanin coloration extending to the central vein of the leaf.

Flowers are large, flat, white, rose-colored in buds; petals are closely appressed, elongated, tapering at the base; stigma is at the level of the stamens or slightly above.

Fruits are medium-sized, weighing 130 g, one-dimensional, short-pear-shaped. Skin is dry and dull. Main color during consumer maturity is greenish-yellow; russet-colored bloom is not observed on all fruits as a faint reddish blush. Peduncles are long or medium-length, fairly thick, curved.

Fruit flesh is white, firm, coarse-grained, juicy, sweet, and of good flavor. Chemical composition of the fruit: total sugars — 9.2%, titratable acids — 0.12%, ascorbic acid — 6.1 mg/100g, P-active substances — 41.3 mg/100g, pectin substances — 7.3%.

Harvesting ripeness occurs at the beginning of September; consumer period starts immediately after harvest and lasts until early October, under refrigeration — until late October.

Annual yield is high, averaging 180 centners per hectare over several years. Trees are relatively winter-hardy in the Oryol region; winter hardiness is average in low-lying areas. Good resistance to fruit and leaf scab.

Advantages of the variety: annual yield, high commercial and consumer qualities of autumn-ripening fruit.

Disadvantages of the variety: only average winter hardiness of trees when grown in low-lying areas.