Apricot (Prunus armeniaca) SULMONA

Apricot (Prunus armeniaca) 'Sulmona'

Romanian self-fertile variety with extraordinary yield and sweet kernel.

'Sulmona' is a highly productive Romanian apricot variety bred at the SCDP Mărculești station. It is popular for its weaker growth (suitable for smaller gardens), self-fertility, and ability to produce very high and regular yields of large, aromatic fruits with a sweet kernel.

Main advantages of the variety:

• Very high and regular yield (80 – 100 kg per tree).
• Self-fertility and early bearing onset.
• Weaker tree growth (compact crown).
• Sweet kernel inside the stone.
• Attractive fruits with a pleasant and intense aroma.

Origin and Registration

• Country of origin: Romania
• Institution: SCDP Mărculești - Călărași
• Parentage: Complex: ['Mărculești 21/51' ('Luizet' x 'Umberto')] × ['Mărculești 37/1' ('Ananas' x 'Ananas')]
• Registration: 1979

Variety Characteristics

Tree

• Vigor: Weak to medium strong.
• Crown: Inverted cone shape (pyramidal).
• Bearing: Bears fruit predominantly on short fruiting wood.

Fruit

• Size and Weight: Medium to large, 45 – 80 g.
• Shape and Color: Oval to round, slightly flattened. The skin is yellow-orange, covered with carmine-red color on 2/3 of the surface.
• Flesh: Orange, firm, and juicy.
• Taste: Sweet, balanced, with a pleasant and intense aroma.
• Stone: Freestone (separates from flesh). Has a sweet kernel.
• Usage: Universal – fresh consumption, industrial processing.

Resistance and Requirements

• Frost resistance: Good frost resistance (down to -20 to -30 °C).
• Disease resistance: Tolerant to diseases.

Cultivation Recommendations

• Pollination: Self-fertile. However, the presence of other varieties may further increase the yield.
• Bearing: Early onset (2nd – 4th year).

Harvest and Storage

• Harvest time: Mid-late (July 15 – 25 to early August).
• Yield: Very high and regular (80 – 100 kg).