Pedigrees of the new apricot cultivars ‘Jiyanhong’ and ‘Jimeihong’.
Photographs of ‘Jiyanhong’ (top) and ‘Jimeihong’ (bottom).
The certificate of ‘Jiyanhong’ (left) and ‘Jimeihong’ (right).
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Apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.), as one of the most important fruit tree species in Hebei Province, China, has a long cultivation history and is widely distributed across multiple regions of the province. Large-scale cultivation is particularly concentrated in the Taihang Mountains, Yanshan Mountains, and parts of the central and southern Hebei plain. The fresh apricot planting area is 63,000 ha, with an annual production of 289,000 tons (Wu et al. 2018). Hebei Province boasts rich apricot germplasm resources, including traditional superior cultivars such as ‘Chuanzhihong’ and ‘Xiangbai’, as well as introduced varieties such as ‘Sungold’ (Wu et al. 2021) and ‘Fengyuanhong’ (Du et al. 2009). These varieties exhibit distinct characteristics in terms of fruit color and flavor, which thus meets consumer demands to some extent. Nonetheless, the variety structures still have certain shortcomings. On one hand, growers hope that apricots can reach the market earlier to command higher prices, creating a strong demand for very early-ripening varieties (Sun et al. 2019; Xu et al. 2025). On the other hand, consumers prefer sweeter flavors and a greater diversity of apricot types (e.g., shape, color, and flavor). Currently, the dominant very early-ripening apricot varieties in Hebei are yellow-skinned, offering few alternatives (Wu et al. 2021). Therefore, hybridization breeding programs were initiated to develop new very early-season, red-skinned apricot varieties. A key breeding objective was to achieve a soluble solid content (SSC) ≥14%, a benchmark for high sweetness that aligns with market standards for premium-priced fruits, as identified through our institute’s market analysis (Chen et al. 2022).
In 2016, a cross was made using ‘Luotuohuang’ (Pu et al. 1994) as the female parent and ‘Fengyuanhong’ as the male parent (Fig. 1). Hybridization produced 135 seeds. These seeds were sown in Spring 2017, yielding 33 hybrid seedlings that were transplanted in Spring 2018. The hybrid seedlings initiated fruiting in 2019. Among them, one superior selection, designated S16-20-37E, was identified as a very early-ripening, red-skinned apricot genotype with a comprehensive set of desirable traits. In Mar 2020, selection was grafted onto 7-year-old apricot trees. Grafted trees initiated fruiting in 2021. Over multiple years of observation, it demonstrated a high-yield, early-maturing excellent appearance, and high fruit quality. It was provisionally named ‘Jiyanhong’ (Fig. 2). In 2024, this novel cultivar was granted a Plant Variety Right by the National Forestry and Grassland Administration of China, with certificate number 20240312 (Fig. 3).
Citation: HortScience 60, 12; 10.21273/HORTSCI19044-25
Citation: HortScience 60, 12; 10.21273/HORTSCI19044-25
Citation: HortScience 60, 12; 10.21273/HORTSCI19044-25
In 2014, a cross was made using ‘Yuzhouhong’ (Wu et al. 2021) as the female parent and ‘Fengyuanhong’ (Wu et al. 2024) as the male parent, producing 1100 seeds (Fig. 1). By Spring 2015, 282 hybrid seedlings had been obtained by sowing. These seedlings were transplanted in Spring 2016 using a wide-narrow row planting system, with wide rows spaced at 2 m, narrow rows at 1 m, and plant spacing of 1 m. In 2017, the seedlings fruited for the first time. One outstanding very early-ripening, red-skinned apricot was identified and designated as SN14-6-17E. In 2019, SN14-6-17E was grafted onto mature trees for regional trials in diverse climatic areas, including Julu County in Xingtai, Shijiazhuang, Mancheng District in Baoding, and Yutian County in Tangshan. After years of observation, it demonstrated early fruiting, high yield, very early-season ripening, attractive appearance, and excellent quality. It was provisionally named ‘Jimeihong’ (Fig. 2). A Plant Variety Right were granted by the National Forestry and Grassland Administration in 2023, with certificate number 20230433 (Fig. 3).
Trees of ‘Jiyanhong’ have strong vigor, with an upright-to-spreading habit and medium branching ability. One-year-old shoots are red-brown on the sunny side. The average length of 1-year-old shoots is 91.2 ± 7.2 cm. Flower buds are predominantly distributed on spurs and 1-year-old shoots. The bud branching rate averages 14.59% ± 0.75%.
Trees of ‘Jimeihong’ have medium vigor, with an upright-to-spreading habit and a medium number of branches. One-year-old shoots are characterized by a red-brown color on their sunny side. One-year-old shoots average 97.3 ± 8.2 cm in length, with an internode length of 3.8 ± 0.5 cm. Flower buds are located primarily on spurs and 1-year-old shoots. The bud burst rate is 41.81% ± 1.06% and 13.95% ± 0.83% of the buds developed into branches.
The leaf blade of ‘Jiyanhong’ averages 11.5 ± 1.2 cm in length and 8.89 ± 0.75 cm in width. The length of the tip is 21.15 ± 2.1 mm, and the petiole length is 40.8 ± 0.6 mm. The leaves are dark green, with an obtuse base and an acute apex. The leaf margins are bicrenate and weakly undulate. Most petioles have two or three nectaries.
The leaf blade of ‘Jimeihong’ averages 9.20 ± 1.13 cm in length and 8.70 ± 0.84 cm in width. The leaf tip and petiole lengths are 0.91 ± 0.08 and 4.38 ± 0.37 cm, respectively. The leaf blade is dark green on the upper side, with an obtuse base and a strongly obtuse-angled apex. The margins are crenate with weak undulation. Two or three nectaries are present on most petioles.
In Shijiazhuang, the leaf buds of ‘Jiyanhong’ and ‘Jimeihong’ burst in late March, and leaf expansion commences in early to mid-April. Leaf fall begins in early November, resulting in a vegetative growth period of ∼225 d.
The flower diameters of ‘Jimeihong’ and ‘Jiyanhong’ are 2.76 ± 0.18 cm and 2.63 ± 0.15 cm, respectively. Both cultivars have white petals and purple-green sepals. In flowers of ‘Jimeihong’ and ‘Jiyanhong’, the occurrence of the stigma positioned above the anthers is 86.58 ± 5.01% and 75.20 ± 4.87%, respectively; the corresponding fruit set rates are 23.9% ± 3.21% and 19.5% ± 2.85%. Both cultivars exhibited self-incompatibility. The self-pollination rates of ‘Jimeihong’ and ‘Jiyanhong’ are all zero. Effective pollinizers identified in our trials include ‘Jinhe’ and ‘Chuanzhihong’. In Shijiazhuang, floral buds of ‘Jimeihong’ and ‘Jiyanhong’ break in late February, with the initial flowering stage occurring in mid-March. The flowering period lasts ∼4 to 7 d.
Over 3 consecutive years (2023–25) in both Shijiazhuang and Julu (Xingtai) orchards, the cultivars withstood minimum temperatures of –2.2 °C during bloom without any visual frost damage to flowers, confirming their suitability for the typical spring conditions of the region.
‘Jiyanhong’ requires ∼58 d of fruit development (from full bloom to commercial harvest) in Shijiazhuang (Table 1). The fruits are large (105.8 ± 9.4 g) and round. Key dimensional measurements include a height of 5.2 ± 0.2 cm, a ventral width of 5.3 ± 0. 3 cm, and a lateral width of 5.7 ± 0.3 cm, yielding ratios of 0.98 (height/ventral width) and 1.07 (lateral/ventral width). In ventral view, the fruit shape is round and slightly symmetrical. It is characterized by a weakly depressed pistil end with a small mucron, a moderately sunken suture, and a shallow stalk cavity. The skin is smooth and pubescent and characterized by a dark orange ground color extensively covered with a red over color. The dark orange flesh has a medium texture, high fiber content, medium juiciness, and a firmness of 1.50 ± 0.42 kg·cm–2. The soluble solids content (SSC) is 14.5% ± 1.3%, and the aroma is weak. ‘Jiyanhong’ is a freestone cultivar. Its stone is elliptical in lateral view, with an average weight of 4.1 ± 0.2 g. The edible portion reaches 96.12% ± 0.45%. Its kernel has absent or very weak bitterness. When top-worked onto 6-year-old rootstocks, the trees began fruiting in the second year. The yield reached up to 22,504.5 kg·ha−1 by the fourth year.
In the Shijiazhuang area, the fruit of ‘Jimeihong’ apricot ripens in mid- to late May, after a development period of 56 to 58 d. The average fruit weight was 70.1 ± 5.8 g, with a maximum of 99.5 g. Fruit dimensions were as follows: height, 5.4 ± 0.2 cm; ventral width, 5.0 ± 0.2 cm; lateral width, 5.6 ± 0.3 cm. In ventral view, the fruit is slightly asymmetric and ovate in shape. It features a rounded apex with a mucron, a slightly sunken suture, and a shallow stalk cavity. The skin is smooth and pubescent, with a dark orange ground color and a red over color covering ≥50% of the surface. The flesh is dark orange, fine-textured, with medium fiber content, juiciness, and firmness of flesh measuring 3.39 ± 0.54 kg·cm−2. The SSC is 14.1% ± 0.6%. The stone is free and ovate in lateral view, with an average weight of 2.4 ± 0.1 g, yielding an edible portion of 96.58% ± 0.32%. The kernel exhibits medium bitterness and has an average weight of 1.40 ± 0.21 g. By the fourth year after top-worked onto 6-year-old rootstocks, the yield reached 31,680 kg·ha−1. Compared with the reference cultivar Sungold, ‘Jimeihong’ exhibits a 4.7 g greater average fruit weight, a 3.1 percentage point higher SSC and 1.22 kg·cm–2 greater flesh firmness.
‘Jiyanhong’ and ‘Jimeihong’ are suitable for cultivation in central and southern Hebei Province and other regions with similar ecological conditions. Recommended tree forms include the natural round head shape, open center shape, or delayed open center shape. Planting spacing should be adjusted according to site conditions: in areas with better soil fertility and irrigation conditions, wider spacing of 3.0–4.0 m × 5.0 m is advised; in poorer soils such as those in mountainous or hilly areas, spacing can be reduced to 2.5–3.0 m × 4.0 m.
Both cultivars are self-incompatible; pollinizers such as ‘Jinhe’ or ‘Chuanzhihong’ should be planted. Owing to their high fruit set rate and productivity, fruit thinning should be conducted ∼15 d after petal fall. To achieve optimal fruit quality, it is recommended to maintain a fruit spacing of 10 to 15 cm on the same branch and control the yield at ∼30,000 kg·ha–1.
Under standard orchard management conditions, no visual symptoms of brown rot (Monilinia spp.) or plum pox virus (PPV) were observed on either ‘Jiyanhong’ or ‘Jimeihong’ during the 3-year observation period. The field performance of both varieties in this regard was comparable to that of the standard commercial control cultivar ‘Sungold’. For dormant-season orchard sanitation, the application of 3 to 5° Baumé lime-sulfur is recommended. During the vegetative growth period, an integrated pest management (IPM) approach combining physical, biological, and chemical controls, is recommended for major pests, such as aphids, spider mites, fall webworms (Hyphantria cunea), and oriental moths (Cnidocampa flavescens).
The apricot cultivars ‘Jiyanhong’ and ‘Jimeihong’ are owned by the Shijiazhuang Pomology Institute, Hebei Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences (SFRI-HAAFS). Plant Breeders’ Rights for these cultivars in China were granted in 2024 and 2023, respectively (Protection of New Varieties of Plants of the People’s Republic of China; no. 20240312 for ‘Jiyanhong’ and 20230433 for ‘Jimeihong’). A limited quantity of budwood is available upon request for trial, research, and commercial propagation purposes, including international collaborators. Interested parties may contact the corresponding author or the Shijiazhuang Institute of Pomology for further details.
Pedigrees of the new apricot cultivars ‘Jiyanhong’ and ‘Jimeihong’.
Photographs of ‘Jiyanhong’ (top) and ‘Jimeihong’ (bottom).
The certificate of ‘Jiyanhong’ (left) and ‘Jimeihong’ (right).
Contributor Notes
This research was funded by the S&T Program of Hebei (No. 21326310D), the HAAFS Science and Technology Innovation Special Project (No. 2022KJCXZX-SGS-8), and the Hebei Agriculture Research System (No. HBCT2024150210).
Duan Wang and Zhikun Liu contributed equally to this work.
During the preparation of this work the authors used DeepSeek to translate parts of the manuscript from Chinese to English and to improve language clarity. After using this tool, the authors reviewed and edited the content to ensure accuracy and clarity and take full responsibility for the content of this publication.
X.C. and X.W. are the corresponding authors. E-mail: 380618601@qq.com and hebeiapricot@126.com.
Pedigrees of the new apricot cultivars ‘Jiyanhong’ and ‘Jimeihong’.
Photographs of ‘Jiyanhong’ (top) and ‘Jimeihong’ (bottom).
The certificate of ‘Jiyanhong’ (left) and ‘Jimeihong’ (right).
