Columnar apple tree (Malus domestica) PREZIDENT

Columnar Apple (Malus domestica) 'Prezident'

A Russian columnar variety with excellent flavour and high resistance.

'Prezident' is a Russian early winter columnar apple variety, valued for its compact growth, high frost resistance, and resistance to scab. It is characterized by a very early entry into bearing, high yield, and the production of large fruits with an excellent dessert flavour.

Main advantages of the variety:

• Very early entry into bearing.
• High yield.
• Excellent fruit flavour (rating 4.8/5).
• Compact and decorative growth.
• High frost and scab resistance.

Origin and Registration

• Country of origin: Russia
• Breeders: V. V. Kichina, N. G. Morozova
• Institution: All-Russian Horticultural Institute for Breeding and Agrotechnology (VSTISP)
• Crossing: Originated from open pollination of the elite form KV 103.
• Registration: Included in the State Register in 2004.

Variety Characteristics

Tree

• Growth: Medium-vigorous, grows to a height of 2 – 3 m.
• Crown: Columnar, compact, with a diameter of around 20 cm.
• Fruiting habit: Bears fruit on short fruiting spurs.
• Flowering: The flowers are large, white with a pinkish tint.
• Pollination: It is cross-pollinated.

Fruit

• Size and weight: Medium to large, with a weight of 140 – 200 g.
• Shape and colour: Round to turnip-shaped. Greenish-yellow to whitish, sometimes with a coral-red blush.
• Skin: Thin, firm, smooth, glossy.
• Flesh: White, medium firm, very juicy, fine-grained.
• Flavour: Excellent, dessert, sweet-tart, with a delicate aroma (rating 4.8/5).
• Use: Versatile.

Resistance and Requirements

• Frost resistance: High.
• Disease resistance: High resistance to scab.

Cultivation Recommendations

• Suitable pollinators include ‘Medok’, ‘Triumf’, ‘Valyuta’.
• If care is neglected, the fruits become smaller and alternate bearing occurs.
• Has a shorter productive lifespan (yield decreases after 14–16 years).

Harvest and Storage

• Harvest time: Late September to early October.
• Storability: Until early February.
• Yield: High, 6–8 kg per tree (can reach up to 16 kg).
• Entry into bearing: Very early, 1st to 2nd year after planting.
• Transportability: Good.