The best examples of citrus crops from the breeding fund FRC SSC RAS

Abstract

The Federal Research Centre, the Subtropical Scientific Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences (FRC SSC of RAS), maintains and sustains a unique collection of citrus crops, comprising 144 varieties collected from different geographical zones. The collection serves as a foundation for breeding work aimed at developing new varieties adapted to the extreme conditions of the humid subtropics in Russia. The breeding focus is on early-ripening, high-yielding, large-fruited citrus varieties with high fruit quality parameters. An extensive hybrid pool has been created, with the study of 165 forms of citrus from various origins, of which 60 are identified as promising and 28 as elite. Through comprehensive evaluation of elite forms, early-ripening and large-fruited forms have been identified, characterized by good yields and high fruit quality characteristics. Early-ripening hybrids of C. reticulāta 02-1, 2-5, and 2-2; 01-04; 01-4 ripen in the second decade of October. Promising forms of C. paradīsi G-A-2 and G-A-1, characterized by large fruit size ranging from 240.1 to 345.1 g, have been selected. The largest fruits are observed in C. Bergamia 16; P-22, with an average weight ranging from 350.8 to 430.40 g. High vitamin C content is noted in forms of C. paradīsi G-A-1; G-A-2 (54.1-43.7 mg/100g) and C. maxima P-20 (42.3 mg/100g). The sweetest fruits are found in the form of C. Bergamia 16, with a sugar content of 255.94 g/liter. The selected forms hold significant value for further breeding research.