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.

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.