Apricot (Prunus armeniaca) FAVORIT

Apricot (Prunus armeniaca) 'Favorit'

Late Romanian variety with large fruits and Sharka tolerance.

'Favorit' is a Romanian apricot variety created at the SCDP Mărculești institute. It is popular for its late ripening (mid-August) and attractive fruits with a red blush. Significant features include good resistance to fungal diseases and tolerance to the Plum Pox Virus.

Main advantages of the variety:

• Late ripening (extends the harvest season).
• Large and attractively colored fruits.
• Tolerance to Plum Pox Virus (PPV).
• Good resistance to Monilinia and Alternaria.
• Resistant to temperature fluctuations.

Origin and Registration

• Country of origin: Romania
• Institution: SCDP Mărculești
• Origin: Self-pollination of the hybrid Mărculești 23-52-50 (‘Luizet’ × ‘Umberto’)
• Registration: 1986 – 1987

Variety Characteristics

Tree

• Vigor: Medium.
• Crown: Wide, well-furnished with short fruiting spurs.
• Rootstock Myrobalan C5: Tree growth on this rootstock is similar to the St. Julien rootstock. The advantage of the Myrobalan C5 rootstock is that it tolerates drought, water stress, and poorer soil conditions better.

Fruit

• Size and Weight: Large to very large, weighing 60 – 65 g.
• Shape and Color: Ovoid. Base color is orange, covered with a pink-red blush on the sunny side (approx. 50% of the surface).
• Flesh: Orange, firm, moderately juicy.
• Taste: Very pleasant, balanced, with an intense aroma.
• Stone: Medium size, Freestone (separates from flesh).
• Usage: Universal (fresh consumption, industrial processing).

Resistance and Requirements

• Frost resistance: Resistant to temperature fluctuations.
• Disease resistance: Good resistance to Monilinia and Alternaria, moderately resistant to Shot hole (Clasterosporium). It is tolerant to Plum Pox Virus (PPV).

Cultivation Recommendations

• Bearing: Onset in the 4th year after planting.

Harvest and Storage

• Harvest time: Late, second decade of August.
• Yield: Good, 35 – 40 kg per tree.