Kuban Comet

Variety from the Crimean Experimental Selection Station of the All-Russian Research Institute of Plant Growing named after N.I. Vavilov. Obtained by crossing Chinese Plum 'Sкороплодная' x 'Алыча' 'Pioneer'. Breeders: G.V. Yeremin, S.N. Zabrodina. Introduced into the State Register for the Northwest, Central, North Caucasus, and Lower Volga regions in 1987.

Tree is weak-growing, with a flat-oval crown and sparse branches. The trunk is not twisted, smooth, with few lenticels, gray in color. Shoots are horizontal, medium thickness, with few lenticels, gray color, with a pale sunburn on the sun-exposed side. Developing twigs are short. Flower buds are small or medium-sized, rounded, slightly behind the shoots, scales pale-pink when opening. Leaf: growth direction vertical, leaf blade size medium, shape elliptical, apex sharp. Color green, glossy, hairless. Leaf edge serration is saw-toothed and toothed. Leaf margin undulation is weak. Stipules are located at the base of the blade. Leaf petiole is medium length and thickness, no pubescence, groove deep, anthocyanin coloration intensity medium. From each bud, two flowers develop, medium size. Calyx lobes are oval, pressed against petals. Petals are small, inversely egg-shaped, medium-friable, white. Stamens are orange, growing on the lower surfaces of the calyx. Pistils are one per flower, very rarely two, positioned above the stamens. Pedicel is medium thickness and medium length — 13-14 mm.

Fruit is large, elongated, maximum diameter near the base, asymmetric, suture weakly expressed, evenly distributed along the entire length. Waxy bloom is medium. Fruit apex is rounded. Pit depth is medium. Skin color is red. Flesh color is yellow. Flesh density is medium, fibrous texture, medium juiciness. Acidity and sugar content are medium, aroma medium, flavor quality high. Stone is semi-detachable, medium size, oval shape, elongated-elliptical on the ventral suture, symmetrical, maximum width at the center. Ridge is absent. Surface is rough. Fusion of the dorsal and ventral sutures is absent. Dorsal suture edges are entire. Ventral suture width is medium, base width is medium, base shape is rounded and tapering. Apex is pointed. Peduncle is short, firmly attached to the fruit.

Fruits do not drop off easily when overripe, resistant to cracking, transportable. When harvested at the beginning of color change, fruits ripen well and acquire the characteristic color of the variety. Fruits are suitable for fresh consumption and canning. Fruit ratings — over 4.6 points, compote and jam — 4.5 points, juice with pulp — 4.4 points. Fruits contain (on fresh weight): dry matter — 12.0%, sugars — 7.7%, including sucrose — 3.0, monosaccharides — 4.7%, free acids — 1.7%, pectin substances — 0.58%, polyphenols — 0.437%, flavonols — 17.3 mg/100g, catechins — 95.0 mg/100g, anthocyanins — 18.8 mg/100g, ascorbic acid — 5.8 mg/100g.

Blooms early — in early July, partially self-fertile (North Caucasus). Yield is high and regular. Exhibits outstanding adaptability across various regions — from Transcaucasia to the non-black-earth zone (Moscow, Smolensk, St. Petersburg), Southern Urals (Chelyabinsk), and southern regions, Primorye (Vladivostok). Winter hardiness is high, drought resistance is medium. Resistant to complex of main diseases.

Drawbacks of the variety: poor stone detachability, tendency for fruit to split under heavy fruit load.