Clonal selection within the apricot varieties Trevatt and Moorpark

Abstract

Barossa Valley selections of 5 Trevatt and 4 Moorpark apricot varieties were compared over 3 seasons for their characteristics as drying apricots.Although there was a lack of significant differences between Trevatt clones, enough differences occurred in the Moorpark varieties to suggest that many quality attributes, particularly fruit weight, diameter, pH, and drying ratio, can be improved through rigorous selection from a wide and diverse population. The data suggest that different clones may be better suited to particular sites or management systems. A large experimental error was noted and attributed to the variability in seedling rootstock material and the unknown viral status of the scions and rootstocks.