The 'Mayak Zagorya' apple is a winter variety bred by crossing 'Mayak' and 'Starkspur Golden Delicious' at the All-Russian Research and Technological Institute of Horticulture and Nursery (FGBNU Vserossiskiy selektsionno-tekhnologicheskiy institut sadovodstva i pitomnikovodstva). It is a medium-sized tree with a rounded, moderately dense crown and straight branches that diverge from the trunk at a right angle. The bark on the trunk and main branches is smooth and brown, while the shoots are of medium thickness and brownish-burgundy in color. The leaves are large, green, smooth, and glossy with a serrated margin, and the flowers are medium-sized and pinkish. The fruits are of medium size, around 110 grams, with a regular flattened shape, a smooth skin of light yellow color, and a blurred brownish-red skin color. The flesh is creamy, dense, juicy, and fine-grained with a sour-sweet taste and a faint aroma. The variety is distinguished by high winter hardiness, withstanding frosts down to minus 40 degrees, and resistance to scab, making it reliable for cultivation in the Central region. The tree begins to bear fruit in the fifth year after planting, while on rootstocks of the MM109 type, fruiting may begin as early as the second or third year. The tree is of medium height with moderate growth in the first few years, which slows down over time, allowing the variety to be used for dense plantings. The yield of the variety is high—averaging 333 centners per hectare—and the fruits retain their taste qualities and beneficial substances during storage until the end of January. 'Mayak Zagorya' is suitable for both household and industrial cultivation. Its compact crown and high resistance to unfavorable conditions make this variety convenient for care and operation. The fruits have an attractive appearance and good tasting evaluation, making them in demand on the market. Despite the limited storage period, apples retain their juiciness and taste until spring, which is an additional advantage of the variety.
