Apple Altai Purple

This winter variety was obtained at the Scientific Research Institute of Horticulture of Siberia named after M. A. Lisavenko from crossing in 1963 of the selected hybrid 8-39-279 (Purple Early × Yellowish Pepin) with Welles. Breeders: M. A. Lisavenko, I. P. Kalinina, N. V. Ermakova. Approved for the West Siberian region since 1999.

Trees are medium-sized with a medium-dense, rounded crown; branches emerge from the trunk at nearly straight angles. The predominant type of fruiting is in clusters.

Shoots are straight, brownish-brown, hairy. Leaves are medium-sized, round and egg-shaped, short-tapered, curved, slightly hairy, with finely serrated edges. Petioles are of medium length.

Fruits (see illustration) are small (57-62 g), one-dimensional, round and flat-round, with smooth surface. Main color is greenish-yellow, covering color is dark red, diffuse, covering most of the fruit. Peduncle is of medium length, calyx wide and deep, without rust. Receptacle is medium-sized, smooth. Calyx is small, half-open. Subcalyx tube is medium-sized, conical. Seed chambers are large, closed, central cavity narrow.

Flesh is creamy, dense, fine-grained, juicy, slightly acidic-sweet, good flavor. Chemical composition of fruits: total sugar content — 13.2%, titratable acids — 0.75%, ascorbic acid — 25.0 mg/100g, pectin substances — 1.46% on dry weight.

Fruits ripen in early September and can be stored up to 170 days. This variety is of universal use, valuable for all forms of property ownership and for breeding.

Fruit production begins on the 4th-5th year. High yield, regular fruiting. Winter hardiness is medium. Only leaves are affected by scab in wet years to a mild degree. Moderately resistant to moniliosis.

Advantages of the variety: high yield, relatively large fruits for Siberian conditions, long storage life, high commercial and consumer qualities, fruits are not affected by scab.

Disadvantages of the variety: risk of tree freezing in exceptionally severe winters, medium resistance to moniliosis.