Variability of fruit weight of summer apple varieties on the lower terrace of the botanical garden named after Vs. M. Krutovsky

Abstract

The paper presents the results of variability of fruit weight and crop load per unit area of crown projection of apple varieties of the summer ripening period in the conditions of the Siberian region: Arcade summer, White filling, Moscow Grushovka, Golden spike, Nobilis, Papirovka for a five-year period. The studies were conducted annually, from 2018 to 2022. These varieties are characterized by good winter hardiness, early entry into the fruiting season (for 3–6 years), earlier maturation dates (end of July–August), but short-term fruit storage (from seven days to one and a half months), which is a disadvantage of this group of varieties. The object of the study is a collection of apple trees of summer varieties growing in an open form in the Botanical Garden named after Vs. M. Krutovsky, which is located on the right bank of Krasnoyarsk. The purpose of the research was to establish the variability of the fruit weight of apple trees of large-fruited varieties depending on the varietal affiliation and the growing season. The paper presents field and laboratory research methods. During the research, the generally accepted methods specified in the «Program and methodology of variety study of fruit, berry and nut crops» were used. As a result of the conducted studies, a significant variability in fruit weight was revealed depending on the growing season. In general, the weight of fruits of all varieties is 18,1–21,41 % less than provided for in their characteristics according to literature data. The yield of trees varies from 0 to 117,4 kg. The varieties of the summer ripening period were selected, which revealed the highest average weight of fruits, as well as those that are valuable in terms of nutritional and aesthetic qualities, which is a promising factor for further breeding: White filling, Grushovka Moskovskaya, Papirovka. This indicator, depending on the variety and the year of fruiting, is less than provided for in the pomological description. Nevertheless, for the conditions of the sharply continental climate of the Siberian region, fruits of such sizes are considered large.