China successfully breeds new apple varieties, a Chinese version of Red Fuji

Their early fruiting, high yield and economic performance surpass those of "Red Fuji"

According to People's Daily, a research team led by Professor Zhao Zhengyang of the College of Horticulture at Northwest A&F University has, after nearly 20 years of effort, successfully bred new Chinese-version "Red Fuji" apple varieties, "Ruiyang" and "Ruixue".

"Ruiyang" is a red, late-maturing variety, bred by crossing "Qinguan" and "Fuji" as parents. This variety fruits early and yields abundantly, has strong disease resistance, large fruit, excellent quality, is easy to manage and stores well. "Ruixue" is a yellow, late-maturing variety, bred by crossing "Qinfu No. 1" and "Pink Lady" as parents. Its fruit is large, with a well-formed shape, firm and crisp flesh, good quality, high yield and good storability. At present, both varieties have passed the approval of the Shaanxi Provincial Fruit Tree Variety Approval Committee.

Zhao Zhengyang said that although China's apple production accounts for 52% of the world's total, 90% of it consists of foreign varieties, while varieties independently bred in China account for less than 10%.

According to reports, "Ruiyang" and "Ruixue" have so far obtained 3 authorized patents and applied for 3 patents, with independent intellectual property rights. Experts believe that their early fruiting, high yield and economic performance surpass those of "Red Fuji", and their quality is close to that of "Red Fuji". Zhao Zhengyang expressed the hope that through 3 to 5 years of effort, "Ruiyang" and "Ruixue" will secure a place in China's main apple-producing regions.