What are the characteristics of the apricot variety Maiqianhuang?

The spur-type extra-large Maiqianhuang apricot is a new spur-type early-maturing apricot variety selected in 1992 from the rich apricot tree variety resources of the Weinan region of Shaanxi, China, with comprehensive traits superior to those of early-maturing apricots currently cultivated in production. There is now a demonstration orchard of 6.3 mu. Through nearly 4 years of cultivation observation, evaluation by professionals, and market response, its outstanding characteristics are:

1. Extremely early to market, high market price

In field cultivation, the flowering period is March 23-25, the petal-fall period is March 30, and the fruit development period is about 60-65 days. The ripening period in the place of origin is May 25-27, about 4-7 days earlier to market than Duanwu Huang and Kate apricot. Around May 20, the fruit can be sold once the skin turns yellow. Because its ripening period has an absolute advantage, for several consecutive years the orchard wholesale price has been 5.6 yuan per kg, with each apricot selling for an average of 0.6 yuan. In 1999, the market price in Taiyuan was mostly 8-10 yuan per kg, and the commodity price was 12% higher than that of Kate apricot.

2. Extra-large fruit, attractive and well-shaped, fine flesh, crisp and sweet with a rich flavor

Under fruit-thinning conditions, the fruit is 5.8 cm in longitudinal diameter, 5.9 cm in transverse diameter, and 6.2 cm in lateral diameter, with an average single-fruit weight of 125 g and a maximum of 153 g. The fruit is nearly round. The background color of the skin is yellow, and the sun-exposed side has red ring-shaped spots. The flesh thickness is 2.5 cm, the edible rate is 97.25%, and it is crisp and sweet with slight acidity, semi-clingstone, with a sweet kernel.

3. Tolerant of frost during the flowering period, with high and stable yield.

It bears fruit in the 3rd year of cultivation (its early-bearing nature is slightly inferior to Kate and Jintaiyang), with a yield of 45 kg per tree in the 4th year and 75 kg in the 5th year. In 1999 there was heavy snow during the flowering period, and other apricots suffered severe frost damage, while this apricot was basically unaffected, still reaching 100 kg per tree, and 125 kg in 2000. From March 5 to 6, 2001, before flowering, it again suffered a rare freezing event in history, and this variety was unharmed, showing a certain frost resistance and the characteristics of high and stable yield.

4. No preharvest fruit drop, no fruit cracking, long softening period

After ripening, this variety does not drop fruit and has no fruit cracking. The harvest period can be extended by 10-15 days, and after turning yellow and ripe it can be stored naturally for 6-8 days. The rate of marketable fruit in the orchard is as high as 98%. It is suitable for long-distance transport, supplying distant markets, and large-scale development in rural areas.

5. Short tree with short branches, good three-dimensional fruiting performance.

From observations of 4-year-old trees top-grafted in the demonstration orchard, the tree form is dwarfed, with short branches and dense nodes. It is 1/2 lower than the control trees. A 13-year-old mother tree is 4.4 m tall. Two-year-old branches and perennial branches bear short branches on the upper side, lower side, and both sides, with fruit on every branch and fruiting in consecutive years. It mainly bears fruit on bouquet fruiting branches and short fruiting branches, and has a relatively high self-fruit-setting rate, which is favorable for close planting and protected cultivation, can increase the land utilization rate in greenhouses, and saves labor in management since basically no pruning is needed.