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Although apricot is a southern crop, breeders do not stop trying to develop cold-resistant varieties. One of the successful attempts was the Kichiginsky hybrid, obtained in the Southern Urals.
History of breeding
Work on cold-resistant hybrids began in the 30s. Employees of the South Ural Research Institute of Horticulture and Potato Growing used natural forms of plants for breeding.
The stones of the Manchurian apricot, which grows in natural conditions, were brought from the Far East. This species is not picky about the soil, tolerates winter frosts and drought well, produces medium-sized juicy fruits.
For all the time of work at the institute, 5 new varieties were bred, including Kichiginsky. The variety was obtained in 1978 by free pollination of the Manchurian apricot. It received its name in honor of St. Kichigino, Chelyabinsk region. Breeders A.E. worked on the hybrid. Pankratov and K.K. Mulloyanov.
In 1993, the institute applied for the inclusion of the Kichiginsky hybrid in the State Register. In 1999, after testing, information about the variety was entered into the State Register for the Ural region.
Apricot Kichiginsky is used in breeding to obtain elite varieties. The most famous of them are Honey, Elite 6-31-8, Golden Nectar. From Kichiginsky they took high yields, winter hardiness and good external qualities of fruits.
Description of the culture
Kichiginsky – a medium-sized variety, a crown of medium density, an elongated oval shape. The leaves are rounded, deep green. The height of the tree at the Kichiginsky apricot is about 3,5 m. The shoots are straight, dark red.
The tree produces beautiful large flowers. The buds and calyx are pink, the corollas are white with a pinkish undertone.
Characteristics of apricot variety Kichiginsky:
- round shape;
- one-dimensional aligned fruits;
- dimensions 25x25x25 mm;
- yellow peel without bitter taste;
- the pulp is juicy, yellow, sweet and sour taste;
- average weight 14 g.
Photo of apricot Kichiginsky:
The fruits contain dry matter (12,9%), sugars (6,3%), acids (2,3%) and vitamin C (7,6%). Taste qualities are estimated at 4,2 points out of 5.
The State Register recommends growing the Kichiginsky variety in the Ural region: Chelyabinsk, Orenburg, Kurgan regions and the Republic of Bashkortostan. According to reviews of the Kichiginsky apricot, it grows without problems in the Volga-Vyatka and West Siberian regions.
Features
The winter hardiness of the Kichiginsky variety deserves special attention. A prerequisite for its cultivation is the planting of a pollinator.
Drought resistance, winter resistance
Apricot Kichiginsky is resistant to drought. The tree needs watering only during the flowering period, if there is little rainfall.
The variety Kichiginsky is characterized by increased winter hardiness. The tree tolerates temperatures as low as -40 °C.
Pollination, flowering period and ripening period
The flowering time of the Kichiginsky apricot is the beginning of May. The variety blooms earlier than many varieties of apricots and other crops (plums, cherries, pears, apple trees). Due to the early flowering time, the buds are susceptible to spring frost.
The variety Kichiginsky is self-fertile. Planting pollinators is required to produce a crop. The best pollinators for the Kichiginsky apricot are other frost-resistant varieties Honey, Spicy, Chelyabinsk Early, Delight, Golden Nectar, Royal.
The fruits are harvested in early August. The fruit has a hard skin when picked, which softens during storage. The fruits are well tolerated by long transportation.
yield, fruiting
The variety is characterized by low precocity. The first harvest from a tree is obtained no earlier than 5 years after planting. Under favorable conditions, up to 15 kg of fruits are harvested from a tree.
Scope of fruits
The fruits of the Kichiginsky variety have a universal purpose. They are used fresh and for the preparation of homemade preparations: jam, jam, juice, compote.
Disease and pest resistance
The variety Kichiginsky is characterized by high resistance to diseases and pests. When grown in the Urals, it is recommended to carry out preventive treatments. Frequent rains, high humidity and low temperatures provoke the spread of fungal diseases.
Advantages and disadvantages
Benefits of apricot Kichiginsky:
- high winter hardiness;
- the best pollinator for other varieties of apricot;
- good fruit transportability;
- universal use of fruits.
Disadvantages of the Kichiginsky variety:
- small fruits;
- average taste;
- takes a long time to bear fruit;
- a pollinator is required to form a crop.
Features of landing
Apricots are planted on a prepared site. If necessary, improve the quality of the soil.
Recommended dates
Planting dates depend on the region of cultivation of the Kichiginsky apricot. In cold climates, planting is carried out in early spring before bud break. In the south, work is carried out in early October, so that the seedling takes root before winter.
In the middle lane, spring and autumn planting is allowed. It is necessary to focus on weather conditions.
Choosing the right place
A place for planting a crop is chosen taking into account a number of requirements:
- lack of frequent winds;
- flat area;
- fertile loamy soil;
- natural light during the day.
In the lowlands, the tree develops slowly, as it is constantly exposed to moisture. The culture also does not tolerate acidic soil, which must be limed before planting.
What crops can and cannot be planted next to an apricot
Apricot does not get along well with shrubs, berry and fruit crops:
- currant;
- raspberries;
- Apple tree;
- pear;
- plum;
- hazel.
Apricots are removed from other trees at a distance of 4 m. It is best to plant apricots of different varieties in a group. Shade-loving perennial grasses grow well under the trees.
Selection and preparation of planting material
It is better to purchase saplings of the Kichiginsky variety in nurseries. Annual trees with a strong root system are suitable for planting. Seedlings inspect and select specimens without traces of decay and damage.
Before planting, a mash of mullein and clay is prepared. When the solution reaches the consistency of sour cream, the roots of the seedling are lowered into it.
Landing algorithm
The process of planting an apricot consists of the following steps:
- A hole with a diameter of 60 cm and a depth of 70 cm is dug on the site. Dimensions may vary depending on the size of the plant.
- At the bottom of the pit, a drainage layer of small pebbles is poured. The pit is left for 2 weeks to shrink.
- Humus, 500 g of superphosphate and 1 liter of wood ash are added to the fertile soil.
- The seedling is placed in a hole, the roots are covered with earth.
- The soil is compacted, and the planted apricot is watered abundantly.
Culture aftercare
Apricot Kichiginsky is fed in early spring. The soil under the tree is watered with a solution of mullein or urea. When forming fruits, the culture requires potassium-phosphorus compounds.
Trees do not require frequent watering. Moisture is applied during the flowering period, if constant hot weather is established.
To obtain a high yield, pruning of shoots older than 3 years is carried out. Be sure to eliminate dry, weak and broken branches. Pruning is done in early spring or late autumn.
A roofing material or mesh helps protect the tree trunk from rodents. A young apricot is additionally covered with spruce branches for the winter.
Diseases and pests, methods of control and prevention
The main diseases of apricot are shown in the table:
Type of disease | Symptoms | Control measures | Prevention |
fruit rot | Brown spots on the fruit that grow and cause the fruit to rot. | Treatment with solutions of Horus or Nitrafen preparations. |
|
destroyed | Green and brown spots on the leaves, gradually the lesion passes to the shoots and fruits. | Treatment of trees with preparations containing copper. |
Apricot pests are listed in the table:
Pest | Signs of defeat | Control measures | Prevention |
Leaflet | Rolled leaves, the appearance of cracks on the bark. | Treatment of trees with Chlorophos. |
|
Weevil | Affected leaves, buds and flowers. When severely damaged, the tree sheds its leaves. | Spraying with Decis or Kinmiks. |
Conclusion
Apricot Kichiginsky is a frost-resistant variety adapted to the harsh conditions of the Urals. To obtain a high yield, plantings are provided with constant care.
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