Pearl of the Urals

Variety from the South-Ural Research Institute of Fruit and Vegetable Growing and Potato Cultivation. Origin — Alycha P-31 × Uvelskaya. Breeders: F.M. Gasymov, K.K. Mullaev. Under state variety testing since 2006.

Tree medium-sized, with an open, moderately dense and leafy crown. The sun-facing shoot is dark brown. Young shoot has medium anthocyanin coloration at the tip (10–15 cm long). One-year-old shoot: numerous, protruding buds; small size of protrusion under vegetative bud; weak branching. Bud (vegetative and generative) small, pressed against the shoot. Leaf blade: elongated shape, medium size, dark green color intensity on upper side; wedge-shaped base, sharply pointed apex, acute tip angle, single-toothed margin, weakly wavy. Petiole medium in length and thickness, medium anthocyanin coloration on upper and lower sides; predominant number of glands — one; small gland size. Flower medium-sized, stigma located above stamens. Petals obovate, degree of closure — open. Calyx triangular. Pedicel short. Flowering and fruiting type — predominantly on fruiting and mixed shoots.

Fruit weight 25 g, round shape, medium-depth seam, medium-depth indentation at the pedicel base. Fruit apex rounded, no point, smooth surface. Main skin color green. Anthocyanin skin coloration medium size and intensity, distributed as isolated spots. Flesh pale-yellow, tender, medium density. Stone detachment weak, fused with flesh. Stone elongated-round, medium weight, constitutes 1.1% of flesh. Fresh stone color brown, apex narrowly round, dorsal suture narrowly open, ventral suture medium, central rib expression medium, lateral ribs weakly noticeable.

Fruit appearance good (4.7 points). Flesh sugar content high, acidity low, aroma medium. Taste rating good (4.5 points). Pedicel detachment dry. Transportability good. Horticultural use — universal variety. Technological use — for compote, jam. Dry matter content low (14.8%), sugars — 10.5%, ascorbic acid — low (1.5 mg/100g).

Flowering and ripening periods medium. Age of fruiting onset late (at 4 years). Partially self-fertile. High yield, annual fruiting. Winter frost damage to shoots and branches weak (1–2 points). Flower bud damage from winter and spring frosts present. Drought resistance medium. Fungal diseases: clasterosporiosis, moniliosis, verticillium wilt, infectious wilting, gnomonioid, leaf curl, shark, necrotic and chlorotic spots — no infection or sporadic. Pests: hairy moth, codling moth, winter bud moth, fruit moth, California scale, false scale, fruit moth, American white butterfly — no damage or very slight damage.

Advantages of the variety: high winter hardiness, high yield, large, tasty, and attractive fruits.