What variety is Maiqian Huang apricot? Learn about Maiqian Huang apricot in one article

The short-branch-type extra-large Maiqian Huang apricot is a new short-branch-type early-maturing apricot variety selected in 1992 from the rich apricot tree variety resources of the Weinan area of Shaanxi, China, with comprehensive traits superior to those 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. It comes to market especially early and commands a 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 maturity period at the production site is May 25-27, about 4-7 days earlier than Duanwu Huang and Kate apricot. Around May 20, the fruit can be sold once the skin turns yellow. Because its maturity period has an absolute advantage, for several consecutive years the orchard wholesale price has been 5.6 yuan per kg, and the average selling price per apricot has been 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. The fruit is extra large, upright and attractive, with fine, crisp, sweet flesh and 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 side diameter, with an average single-fruit weight of 125 g and a maximum of 153 g. The fruit is nearly round. The base 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-clinging stone, and sweet kernel.

3. The flowering period is resistant to frost, and the yield is high and stable.

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, with yield still reaching 100 kg per tree, and 125 kg in 2000. From March 5 to 6, 2001, before flowering, it again suffered a rare freeze in history, and this variety was unharmed, showing a certain ability to resist frost and having the characteristics of high and stable yield.

4. No pre-harvest fruit drop, no fruit cracking, and a long softening period

After ripening, this variety does not drop fruit and has no fruit cracking. The harvest period can last 10-15 days, and after yellow ripening 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 rural development.

5. The tree is short with short branches, and it has good three-dimensional fruiting performance.

The author observed 4-year-old trees top-grafted in the demonstration orchard and found that the tree form is dwarfed, with short branches and dense nodes. It is 1/2 lower than the control tree. 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, and every branch bears fruit, with fruit borne year after year. It mainly bears fruit on bouquet fruiting branches and short fruiting branches, and its self-pollination fruit-setting rate is relatively high, which is favorable for close planting and protected cultivation. It can increase the land utilization rate in greenhouses, and management saves labor, basically requiring no pruning.