Apple Altai Silk

Autumn variety obtained at the Scientific Research Institute of Horticulture of Siberia named after M. A. Lisavensky from crossing in 1948 of selected hybrid 2-37-836 (Purple Ranecka x Safran Pepin) with Belfler-Chinese. Breeders: M. A. Lisavensky, L. Yu. Zhebrovskaya, I. P. Kalinina, N. V. Ermakova. Approved in 1978 for low mountain areas of Altai Krai, in 1991 — for the West Siberian region. Widely cultivated in private gardens.

Trees medium-sized, with oval crowns, with scaffold branches diverging at right angles.

Shoots dark brown with intense grayish pubescence and numerous light bean-like structures. Leaves large, dark green, leathery, shiny, hairy underneath, elongated and egg-shaped, gradually tapering into a small sharp tip, curved downward in an arc, leaf margins doubly toothed and wavy, petioles hairy with small lanceolate stipules.

Fruits (see image) small (38-50 g), round. Main color yellow, covering dark red, solid, with intense bluish bloom, large light subcutaneous dots. Peduncle of medium length. Calyx small, semi-open. Subcalyx tube medium, funnel-shaped. Seed chambers closed. Axial cavity wide.

Flesh white, pinkish near the skin and seed cavity, finely textured, juicy, slightly acidic-sweet, good taste. Chemical composition of fruits: total sugars — 16.4% (10.5-12.3), titratable acids — 0.71% (0.62-0.81), tannins — 120 mg/100g (75-166), ascorbic acid — 10.7 mg/100g (4.8-15.1), P-active substances — 238 mg/100g (138-245).

Harvesting ripeness at the end of August, storage life up to 60 days. Fruits drop off as they ripen.

Fruits of universal use.

Fruit bearing begins on the fourth year. Average, regular yield. Winter hardiness of trees is moderate; in severe winters, the multi-year wood freezes to a moderate degree. High recovery capacity. Highly resistant to scab.

Advantages of the variety: regular fruiting, good commercial and consumer fruit quality, high resistance to scab.

Disadvantages of the variety: fruit drop during ripening.

Used in breeding; with its participation, the variety Altynay was developed.