Apple variety Rozhdestvenskoe

Rozhdestvenskoe is a new triploid apple variety with fruits of early winter ripening period, obtained at the All-Russian Research Institute of Breeding of Fruit Crops in 1985 through crossing the variety Welsey with a hybrid form BM 41 497. The laid down Vf gene provides an apple tree with absolute resistance against 5 races of scab. The authorship belongs to a group of domestic breeders: E.N. Sedov, V.V. Zhdanov, Z.M. Serova and E.A. Dolmatov.

For the State test, the variety was presented in 1999 in the Central and Central Black Earth regions. The Rozhdestvenskoye apple tree has been included in the State Register since 2001. This variety is suitable for intensive gardening, provided that it is grown on an intercalated rootstock.

The trees are of medium height and are characterized by fast growth rates. In the early years, the growth of annual seedlings reaches a length of 40 to 70 cm. The crown is strong, medium-leafy, broad-pyramidal in shape. The main branches are powerful, when they leave the trunk, they form an angle of 45 to 80 degrees. The surface of the bark on the trunk is peeling, gray in color. Apple trees bear fruit mainly on simple and complex ringlets.

The shoots are of medium thickness, slightly geniculate (rounded in cross-section), brown color and slight pubescence. The buds are compressed, fleecy, conical in shape. The leaves are green, ovoid in shape, short-pointed, wavy along the edge, with double-serrate serration, the top is helically twisted. The leaf blade is matte, wrinkled, medium pubescent.

The inflorescences are umbellate and include 4-6 flowers. The buds are white and pink. The flowers are medium-sized, saucer-shaped, with rounded, pale pink petals, medium close at the base. Pedicels are of medium length. The stigma of the pistils is below the level of the anthers; the accrete column of pistils is not pubescent.

Fruits are of medium or above average size (the weight of one apple usually ranges from 140 to 170 - 180 grams), medium-sized, flattened, with weakly expressed large lobes. Although according to V.P. Bratkin's fruits grow to a larger size (180 - 250 grams), and the mass of individual specimens in his personal garden reached 450 grams in 2011. The skin is dense, of medium thickness, with a glossy sheen. The main color of apples is greenish-yellow, the integumentary color occupies a significant part on the surface of the fruit and is represented by a blurred red blush with cherry-colored specks. The subcutaneous dots on the skin are very large, numerous, gray in color, clearly visible. The peduncles are rather thin, long, straight, set obliquely (obliquely). The funnel is medium in depth, blunt-conical in shape, with the addition of rusty grayish tint. Closed cup. The saucer is medium in depth, wide enough, grooved. The heart is bulbous. Seed chambers are closed. The sub-cup tube is short and cauliflower-shaped. Seeds are medium in size, brown in color, ovoid.

The flesh of apples is white, with a slight creamy shade, dense structure, prickly, with a delicate, sour-sweet, harmonious dessert-type taste, very juicy and slightly aromatic. On a 5-point tasting scale, the assessment of the appearance of the fruit is 4.4 points, the assessment of taste is 4.3 points. The chemical composition of the fruit can vary and is largely determined by the place of growth, climatic conditions and tree care measures. According to the data of the breeder E.N. Sedova apples of the Rozhdestvenskoye variety contain: the sum of sugars (10.4%), titratable acids (0.48%), pectin substances (14.1%), the value of the sugar acid index is 21.7.

In the conditions of the Oryol region, fruit ripening occurs in the 2nd decade of September (from the 12th to the 17th). The consumer period begins immediately or a little later (from October 10) and lasts 3-4 months, maximum until the end of January. Fruit ripening can occur at different times. Ripe fruits tend to shedding.

Rozhdestvenskoe is a fast-growing and fruitful variety.After re-grafting, trees begin to bear fruit in the 4th year, while trees Antonovka ordinary (control variety) - only in the 6th year. In the period from 1996 to 1999, an average of 180 c / ha was harvested from young trees of this apple tree, while for the control variety Antonovka, the average yield was only 110 c / ha. Fruiting is regular.

The winter hardiness of the variety is quite high. Under conditions of artificial freezing (using artificial climate chambers), conducted by S.V. Rezvyakova, after quenching and lowering the temperature to minus 40 ° C, slight damage to the kidneys (1.5 points) and wood (1.7 points) was noted. For comparison: according to Antonovka, these indicators are equal to 1.0 and 1.5 points, according to Autumn striped - 1.6 and 2.7 points.

The obvious advantages of the Rozhdestvenskoye apple tree are: the immunity of fruits and leaves to scab, attractive fruits with a dessert taste, high yield and keeping quality of apples.

The disadvantages include a tendency to shedding fruits during ripening and a somewhat prolonged ripening period. It was also noted that often by the end of storage, apples become noticeably softer, and their taste deteriorates at the same time.