Introduction the New Drying Apricot Cultivar Nasiri 90

Selection and introduction of superior genotypes from native populations is one of the most common improving methods for fruit trees in the world. Iran as a very important origin of apricot has a huge diversity of varieties, so a rich collection of local and imported genotypes of apricot was induced in Sahand Horticultural Research Station from 1971. Nasiri 90 and other four superior varieties were evaluated as a ten years old project in three different areas of East Azerbaijan province. In addition to all vegetative and productive traits, some important tests such as evaluation of chill and heat requirement, determination of incompatibility and pollinizer, xenia and metaxenia, drying and processing, determining of suitable harvest time and packaging method were studied during these years. Results showed that Nasiri 90 had high yield (above 10 t/h), big fruit size, high flesh thickness, and high fruit sugar, so is suitable for drying. Its chill and heat requirements are 825 C.U and 3350 G.D.H respectively. Also because of its incompatibility and metaxenia, it is better to use from Aybatan and Maragheii90 apricots as pollinizer. Suitable harvest time of this variety was 81 days after full bloom synchronous with 27750 growth degree hour. Vegetative and fruit quality traits of this variety had a good stability in different area and years but its bearing and yield were depended on different climatic conditions.