Apricot (Prunus armeniaca) DACIA

Apricot (Prunus armeniaca) 'Dacia'

Early Romanian variety with very large fruits, sweet kernel, and late flowering.

'Dacia' is a high-quality Romanian apricot variety bred at the SCDP Băneasa institute. Growers appreciate it for its very large fruits and high reliability. Thanks to its late flowering, it better withstands spring frosts, even though the fruits ripen in the first half of July. A bonus is the sweet, edible kernel.

Main advantages of the variety:

• Very large fruits (70 – 95 g).
• Late flowering (natural protection against spring frosts).
• Sweet kernel.
• High and regular yield.
• Frost hardiness and disease tolerance.

Origin and Registration

• Country of origin: Romania
• Institution: SCDP Băneasa
• Parentage: Mărculești 19 × CR 5 – 180
• Registration: 1989

Variety Characteristics

Tree

• Vigor: Medium.
• Crown: Spherical, relatively sparse.
• Fruiting: Bears fruit predominantly on short spurs.
• Rootstock Myrobalan C5: Tree growth on this rootstock is similar to the St. Julien rootstock. The advantage of the Myrobalan C5 rootstock is that it tolerates drought, water stress, and poorer soil conditions better.

Fruit

• Size and Weight: Very large, weighing 70 – 95 g.
• Shape and Color: Round. The color is orange, with a red blush on the sunny side.
• Flesh: Intense orange, firm, juicy.
• Taste: Balanced, with a subtle aroma.
• Stone: Small, round, Freestone. The kernel is sweet.
• Usage: Universal (fresh consumption, processing).

Resistance and Requirements

• Frost resistance: Hardy against winter frosts and late spring frosts.
• Disease resistance: Tolerant to Monilinia, Stigmina, and Cytospora.

Cultivation Recommendations

• Flowering: Late (an advantage in areas prone to spring frosts).
• Bearing: Early onset, 3rd year after planting.

Harvest and Storage

• Harvest time: Early, first half of July.
• Yield: High, 40 – 45 kg per tree.