Dagestan Early

Variety from the Dagestan Experimental Station, obtained by crossing Napoleon Black and Aprilskaya Black. Developed by A.S. Pokrovskaya. Introduced into the state register in 1965 for the North Caucasus region.

Medium-sized tree — 4.0-4.5 m tall, with a round, broad, dense crown. One-year-old shoot of medium thickness, natural greenish color. Flowering and growth buds of medium size, positioned at an angle to the shoot. Flowering bud elongated-spherical (egg-shaped), growth bud elongated-pointed. Leaves of medium size, elongated-pointed shape, with strongly elongated apex and oval base, dimensions 13.3-5.4 cm, serrated edges. Color — light green. Upper and lower leaf surfaces smooth. Leaf slightly curved. At the base of the leaf, on the petiole, two large red glands are symmetrically located. Petiole of medium length (15-30 mm), medium thickness (0.2 cm), reddish-lilac color. Flowers of medium size, white. Petals round, moderately concave. Inflorescence — umbel, consisting of 2-4 flowers. Flower corolla shape is circular, petal arrangement — opposite. Surface of stigma and stamens is spherical, with the stigma protruding above (stamen length 5-6 mm, stigma length 7-8 mm). Flowering and fruiting occur at the base of one-year-old shoots or on bouquet branches.

Fruits are round, slightly elongated apex (20 x 19 x 19), shallow ventral groove. Fruit cavity is flat, elongated to one side. Fruit weight 6.04 g, dark burgundy color. Flesh tender, juicy. Flesh and juice red. Taste sweet with moderate acidity. Sensory evaluation of fresh fruit 4.9 points. Fruits contain 10.3% dry matter, 8.73% sugars, 0.43% acids, 4.40 mg/100g ascorbic acid. Fruit shelf life 3-4 days. Transportability medium. Fruits have attractive appearance and high taste quality. Fruit stalk of medium length 39 mm (thickness 0.2 cm), weakly attached to the fruit, making the variety suitable for mechanical harvesting. Fruit cracking index in wet weather is medium (18.3%). Pit is round, with distinct grooves, smooth, oval shape, pit apex concave inward, base elongated like a beak. Pit mass 0.28 g, which constitutes 4.6% of fruit mass. Ventral groove of medium width. Pit easily separates from flesh. Intended use — dessert and technical. After processing, high-quality jam and compote are obtained.

Early maturing variety, flowering period 19-30 April, fruiting — from May 22 to June 3. Partially self-fertile. Fruits ripen simultaneously. Enters fruiting stage on the 4-5th year after planting in the garden. Yield — 20.0 kg per tree or 67.0 c/ha.

Frost resistant in winter. Winter hardiness of generative buds — 92%. Spring frost resistance — above average. Fungal diseases — moniliosis — 1.1%. Variety is relatively drought-tolerant, but prolonged summer droughts may negatively affect tree condition, potentially causing wilting and suppression.

Suitable for intensive orchards. Does not require special pruning, only sanitary pruning; responsive to watering and fertilizer application.