PHENOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS, YIELD AND FRUIT QUALITY OF APRICOT CULTIVARS INTRODUCED FROM EASTERN EUROPE

The evaluation of 13 apricot cultivars originating from Eastern Europe, that is, from the former Soviet Union, was carried out in the region of Belgrade over the six-year period (2009–2014). The control cultivar for comparison was ‘ Hungarian Best’ . Compared to the control, tested cultivars flowered in the span range from five days earlier (‘ Velikyi’ ) to two days later (‘ Chudovyi’ and ‘ Polyus Juzhnyi’ ), while their harvest time ranged from 21 days earlier (‘ Zorkyi’ ) to 14 days later (‘ Chudovyi’ ). A significantly higher yield per tree was obtained in four cultivars: ‘ Agat’ , ‘ Strepet’ , ‘ Vognik’ and ‘ Forum’ . Fruit weight was significantly higher only in the cultivar ‘ Strepet’ , while lower fruit weight was found in five cultivars. The highest score for fruit appearance was recorded in the cultivar ‘ Strepet’ , while according to taste, the cultivar ‘ Forum’ was singled out. Based on the results obtained, for commercial growing in the region of Belgrade, the cultivar ‘Strepet’ can be recommended mostly for fresh fruit consumption and the cultivar ‘ Forum’ mainly for fruit processing.