The paper presents the results of the cultivation of apple varieties with large fruit size (Malus domestica) in the coastal zone of the south of Primorsky krai. The apple varieties released in the Russian Far East are semi-wild and have lower yield, poorer taste and quality compared to cultivars. We studied a number of early and late-maturing introduced apple varieties with large fruit size in comparison to the best released cultivars. The varieties and cultivars were evaluated for the following characteristics: yield and resistance to frost, diseases, and unfavorable climatic conditions. Based on the phenological observations, we selected varieties that were able to produce up to 10–15 kg of large fruits per tree and belonged to different maturity groups. Varieties Melba, Zelenka rannyaya, Nezhenka, Uelsi, Aprelskoe, and Slava Primorya were considered the most promising specimens with a fruit weight of 250–300 g. The frequency of fruiting was noted as well.

Zhivchikov Aleksandr I., Zhivchikova Raisa I.

1. Sedov E. N., Korneeva S. A., Yanchuk T. V. Breeding institutions of Russia and their contribution to improving the apple tree assortment. Vestnik rossijskoj sel'skohozyajstvennoj nauki, 2023;5:42–46 (in Russ.). DOI: 10.31857/2500-2082/2023/5/42-46.
2. Aseeva T. A., Mikhailichenko O. A., Tikhomirova E. S. Encyclopedia of the horticulture in the Russian Manchuria (Priamurye), Khabarovsk, Izdatel'stvo Tihookeanskogo gosudarstvennogo universiteta, 2015, 243 p. (in Russ.).
3. Musacchi S., Serra S. Apple fruit quality: overview on pre-harvest factors. Scientia Horticulturae, 2018;234:409–430. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2017.12.057.
4. Li Sh., Yuan X., Xu Y., Li Z., Feng Z., Yue X. [et al.]. Biogenic volatile organic compound emissions from leaves and fruits of apple and peach trees during fruit development. Journal of Environmental Sciences, 2021;108:152–163. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jes.2021.02.013.
5. Obstlagerung W., Fettkenheuer W., Held B. Hofer und andere, federfuhrung A. Osterloh, Berlin, VEB Deutscher Landwirtschaftsverlag, 1980, 367 p.
6. Tsarenko V. P., Tsarenko N. A. History of horticulture in the Russian Far East, Vladivostok, Morskoj gosudarstvennyj universitet, 2017, 300 p. (in Russ.).
7. Glinshchikova F. I. History of the development of horticulture in Priamurye, Blagoveshchensk, Dal'nevostochnyj gosudarstvennyj agrarnyj universitet, 2014, 55 p. (in Russ.).
8. Dospekhov B. A. Methodology of field experiment (with the basics of the processing of research results), Moscow, Al'yans, 2014, 351 p. (in Russ.). 9. Program and methodology for studying varieties of fruit, berry and nut crops, Orel, Vserossijskij nauchno-issledovatel'skij institut selekcii plodovyh kul'tur, 1999, 608 p. EDN: YHAPPN. (in Russ.).
9. Methodology of the state variety testing for agricultural crops, Мoscow, Kolos, 1970, 160 p. (in Russ.). 11. Makarenko S. A. The priority apple breeding directions for the areas with severe climatic conditions. Vestnik Altajskogo gosudarstvennogo agrarnogo universiteta, 2019;8(178):28–35. EDN: EYCBQN (in Russ.).
10. Zhivchikov A. I., Zhivchikova R. I. Possibilities of creating contemporary adaptive assortment of fruit plants in view of the development of the Far East gardening. Dal'nevostochnyi agrarnyi vestnik, 2017;3(43):37–44. EDN: ZWLBWX (in Russ.).