Chelyabinsk Early

Seedling of Manchurian apricot from free pollination. Originator — South-Ural Research Institute of Fruit and Vegetable Growing and Potato Cultivation. Authors: K.K. Mullaev, A.E. Pankratova, V.I. Putyatine, I.G. Zamaytina. Introduced into the State Register for the Ural region in 1999.

Medium-growing tree. Medium-dense, open crown. Shoots dark red. Young shoot tip coloration weak, with many prominent lenticels. Size of the one-year-old shoot's protrusion under vegetative bud large, strong branching. Buds medium-sized, protruding. Leaves round, large, green. Leaf base shape acute, apex elongated and pointed. Leaf margin serrated. Petiole long, medium thickness, with anthocyanic coloration. Stipules two-three, medium size. Flowers small, stigma higher than anthers. Petals round, medium-fused. Calyx cup-shaped. Pedicel very short. Fruit set primarily on cluster branches and spurs.

Fruits weighing 16 g, round shape. Main skin color yellow. Protective anthocyanic coloration in form of small dots. Flesh light-orange, medium density. Fruit appearance rated 4 points. Flavor good — 4.4 points. Fruits contain 12.4% dry matter, 8.1 mg/100 g ascorbic acid, 3.1 mg/100 g carotene. Fruit stem detachment dry, transportability medium. General-purpose variety. Stone weight 0.8 g, which is 7.8% of flesh, round shape, light-brown color. Apex narrowly rounded. Stone separates easily from flesh.

Partially self-fertile. Flowering and ripening periods early. Enters fruiting on the 4th year. Average yield. Good winter and frost resistance. Moderate drought tolerance. Affected slightly by fungal diseases and pests.

Advantages of the variety: early fruit ripening, high flavor quality, resistance to pests and diseases.

Disadvantages: small fruits.