Over the years, apricots have been identified with those orange varieties with a red blush. "Now, however, we can start talking about bi-coloured ones. This is because breeders, and especially French breeders, are focusing on red-skinned varieties," explains Stefano Foschi, a researcher from Crpv – Centro Ricerche Produzioni Vegetali.
Stefano Foschi, researcher from Crpv, ieri, during the apricot display in Imola (BO).
Some of the new varieties were showcased at the Astra – Innovazione e Sviluppo's Mario Neri operative unit in Imola during a display dedicated to early varieties of apricots, peaches and nectarines. At the moment, Emilia-Romagna is harvesting the Lady Cot* variety and the harvesting of Kyoto* is starting.
The display in Imola (BO).
The display focused mainly on three varieties.
Monabrì* is a new French variety. "It looks good however it is not self-fertile and only works with intermediate peach grafts."
A moment during the apricot display in Imola (BO).
"Rubista* is easy to cultivate, production starts immediately and consumers love it, though its shelf-life is not ideal, it is not possible to have two harvests and it tends to be susceptible to bacteriosis."
"Montier* cultivation has only just started. Fruit is looking good and with good grades but it is not very aromatic."
Rubista* apricots.
What is more, it turns out that the bad weather which affected the campaign up to 10 days ago was actually a good thing for breeders, "because that way we managed to test everything the varieties had to offer."
Rubista* apricots.
What is more, it turns out that the bad weather which affected the campaign up to 10 days ago was actually a good thing for breeders, "because that way we managed to test everything the varieties had to offer."
One of the varieties displayed in Imola (BO).
So far, the early varieties resistant to rain have been Big Red*, which harvested in the middle of the rainy period, and Gemma*, which developed rustic and firm fruit."
The display in Imola (BO).
On 29th July 2016, a new display will be held at the Martorano 5 operative unit for late apricot varieties.