Apple Divo

Variety selected at the Central Siberian Botanical Garden (CSBG) of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Breeders: V. N. Vasil'eva, N. V. Moiseeva, E. T. Safonova. Obtained by crossing 'Skalепovka' with 'Belyy Naliv'. It has gained popularity across various regions of Siberia, the Urals, and the Far East, especially in home gardening.

The tree is low-growing, forming a low-trunked shape (trunk 20-30 cm). The crown is round and compact, of medium density. Branches are straight, oriented upwards. Fruit clusters are in rings.

Shoots are straight, round in cross-section, yellow-brown, moderately hairy. Leaves are medium-sized, slightly pointed, dark green, matte, moderately hairy, with delicate venation and serrated-crenate edges. Petioles are of medium length, with lanceolate bracts.

Fruits (see photo) are flat-round, medium-sized (up to 38 g), bright raspberry-red, very attractive. Pedicels are short, thick, straight. The calyx is non-dehiscent, half-open, with a short, shallow calyx tube. Seed chambers are half-open, with brown egg-shaped seeds.

Flesh is white, juicy, fine-grained, sweet-sour with a hint of spice. Chemical composition of fruits: total sugars — 11.4% (9.0-16.8%), titratable acids — 1.57% (1.07-2.1%) on fresh weight, tannins — 0.18% on fresh weight, ascorbic acid — 31.5 mg/100g (24.5-42.6 mg/100g), polyphenols (catechins) — 185 mg/100g (101-396 mg/100g), pectin substances — 0.75% (0.41-1.2%) on fresh weight.

Fruits ripen at the end of August and can be stored until the end of October.

Fruits are consumed fresh and are excellent for processing. Compotes have an attractive appearance and a delicate, pleasant flavor and aroma. Puree and juice are brightly colored and aromatic, which is highly valuable for confectionery production. For making compotes, fruits are used whole with the pedicel.

Fruit production begins on the 4th-5th year. The variety is hardy, moderately productive (up to 93 kg per tree). It is winter-hardy.

Advantages of the variety: high winter hardiness, good yield, early ripening, high-vitamin and high-tech fruits, low-growing trees with crowns convenient for mechanized care and harvesting.

Disadvantages of the variety: towards the end of its productive period, it loses resistance to fungal diseases, especially if preventive measures are not taken.

The variety 'Divo' is a valuable genetic source for breeding for winter hardiness, high yield, high vitamin content in fruits, controlled tree growth, early ripening, and high fruit technology. At CSBG, various crosses of this variety with the best Siberian and European large-fruited varieties and selected forms of wild apple 'Siver's' have been performed. Selection of promising forms continues from the hybrid stock.