Apricot cv. Robada

#The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of apricot tree, which will hereinafter be denominated varietally as `Robada.` More particularly, the invention relates to the discovery and asexual propagation of apricot Prunus armeniaca L. cv. `Robada.` The new variety is a fresh market apricot for use in local markets as well as for long distance shipping.

#The new variety of apricot tree was produced from a cross between the apricot variety `Orangered` (seed parent) and apricot selection K113-40 (pollen parent) grown in a research orchard located near Parlier, Calif. The pollen parent originated in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) apricot breeding program. Planned hybridizations, four generations removed from the original apricot varieties `Blenheim`, `Blush` and `Perfection`, resulted in the selection of K113-40.

#The first generation seedlings from the `Orangered`.times.K113-40 hybridization were grown and maintained in a research orchard located near Parlier, Calif. When these trees became reproductively fit, close attention was paid to desirable fruit characteristics. The present variety was then selected from among all other seedlings in this progeny, due to its unique combination of desirable fruit characteristics. This tree was then asexually propagated to other rootstocks, where it remained true-to-character in other orchard environments.

#The accompanying drawing is a color photograph showing typical stems, leaves, fruit, dormant budsticks, and stones of the new variety. The photograph was taken shortly after fruit harvest, and the colors are as representative as possible for the fruit and vegetative characteristics of the new variety. Mature fruit have been sectioned and positioned to demonstrate the typical form and coloration associated with the various profiles. Both upper and lower leaf surfaces are shown for mature leaves of current season's growth. A slight curling of the mature leaves is typical for this new apricot grown in the environment of the central San Joaquin Valley, Calif. Shoot terminals have been shown to demonstrate their strong red coloration which is typical of this new apricot.

#The new variety cv. `Robada` may be distinguished from other presently available commercial apricot cultivars by a combination of characteristics, including fruit with an unusually large amount of red skin color in the form of a bright red blush, fruit with good flavor and high eating quality, self-compatible flowers which require no cross-pollination, and fruit with firm flesh, giving good handling and shipping quality.

#The new variety of apricot is most similar to the commercial apricot variety `Castlebrite` (unpatented) by having similar dates of flowering and by being harvested approximately seven days after `Castlebrite.` It is distinguished therefrom and an improvement thereon in a number of fruit characteristics. Both flesh and skin color of the new variety are more deeply orange colored when compared to the skin and flesh of `Castlebrite` in fruit samples of similar fruit maturity. Skin overcolor is a deeper red, and the percentage of overcolor is greater for the new apricot variety compared to `Castlebrite.` Fruit soluble solids are higher, and fruit acidity is lower in the new variety than in `Castlebrite` when comparing fruit samples of similar maturity.

#The new variety also differs substantially from its seed parent `Orangered.` It is significantly larger and ripens approximately 25 days prior to `Orangered` in the central San Joaquin Valley, Calif. Furthermore, the bloom period of the new variety is distinguished from that of `Orangered` by occurring approximately 20 days prior to that of `Orangered.`