Apricot

Prepared by pravesh
rimal
Roll number:59
Sec: B

Introduction
An apricot is a fruit or the tree that bears the
fruit of several species in the genus Prunus
(stone fruits). Usually, an apricot tree is from
the species P. armeniaca, but the species P.
brigantina, P. mandshurica, P. mume, and P.
sibirica are closely related, have similar fruit,
and are also called apricots
The scientific name of apricot is Prunus
armeniaca.
They are popularly known as Aaru in Nepal.
The origin of the apricot is disputed. It was
known in Armenia during ancient times, and
has been cultivated there for so long that it is
often thought to have originated there
Other sources say that the apricot was first
cultivated in India in about 3000 BC.

Botany
Apricot is a small tree, 812m
(2639ft) tall, with a trunk up to
40cm (16in) in diameter and a
dense, spreading canopy.
The leaves are ovate, 59cm
(2.03.5in) long and 48cm
(1.63.1in) wide.
The flowers are 24.5cm (0.8
1.8in) in diameter, with five
white to pinkish petals.
The fruit is a drupe similar to a
small peach.
The single seed is enclosed in a
hard, stony shell, often called a
"stone", with a grainy, smooth
texture except for three ridges
running down one side.

Uses

Cyanogenic glycosides (found in most stone fruit seeds, bark, and leaves) are found in
high concentration in apricot seeds. Laetrile, a purported alternative treatment for
cancer, is extracted from apricot seeds. Apricot seeds were used against tumors as
early as AD 502. In England during the 17th century, apricot oil was also used against
tumors, swellings, and ulcers.

In Europe, apricots were long considered an aphrodisiac, and were used in this context
in William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, and as an inducer of childbirth,
as depicted in John Webster's The Duchess of Malf.
Egyptians usually dry apricots, add sweetener, and then use them to make a drink
called amar al-dn.
Apricots have been cultivated in Persia since antiquity, and dried ones were an
important commodity on Persian trade routes. Apricots remain an important fruit in
modern-day Iran, where they are known under the common name of zard-l .
Dried apricots are a type of traditional dried fruit. When treated with sulfur dioxide
(E220), the color is vivid orange. Organic fruit not treated with sulfur vapor is darker in
color and has a coarser texture. The world's largest producer of dried apricots is Turkey.

Related species
1. Peaches

(Prunus persica)

2. Plums

(Prunus domestica)

3. Nectarines
4. Cherries

(Prunus avium)

Cultivation
Although the apricot is native to a continental climate region
with cold winters, it can grow in Mediterranean climates if
enough cool winter weather allows a proper dormancy.
Apricot cultivars are most often grafted onto plum or peach
rootstocks. The scion from an existing apricot plant provides the
fruit characteristics, such as flavour and size, but the rootstock
provides the growth characteristics of the plant.
Cultivators have created what is known as a "black apricot" or
"purple apricot", (Prunus dasycarpa), a hybrid of an apricot and
the cherry plum (Prunus cerasifera). Other apricotplum hybrids
are variously called plumcots, apriplums, pluots, or apriums.

Varieties

composition
Vitamins
A

= 63%

= 27%

B6

= 5%

Iron=3%

Sugar=15 gm
Dietary fiber=3.3 gm
TOTAL CARBOHYDRATE 18gm
Potassium=427mg
Sodium=2mg
AMOUNT PER 1CUP ,sliced 165 gm

calcium=2%

Magnesium=2%

Climate And Soil

Soil: well drained and sandy loam soil.
Soil ph: 6.0 to 7.0
Temperature
The tree is slightly more cold-hardy than the peach, tolerating
winter temperatures as cold as 30C (22F) or lower if
healthy.
A limiting factor in apricot production is spring frost.
The trees are sensitive to temperature changes during the
winter season
Hybridisation with the closely related Prunus sibirica (Siberian
apricot; hardy to 50C (58F) but with less palatable fruit)

Propagation
Seed for raising for raising rootstocks, seeds should be sown as soon as possible
after extraction from ripe fruits.
Seeds obtained from firm mature fruit have greater viability.
They germinate best at 15 to 30 degree Celsius.
For long term storage seed should be dried at 45% moisture and at 0 degree
Celsius.
Takes 2-3 weeks to germinate
Grafting : whip or cleft grafting in early winter.
Chip or T budding have comparatively high success rate than grafting.
Top working: Trees grafted at 1m height with 5-10 scions. Suitable during feb to
march.
The scion should contain some leaves on them.

Micropropagation
Micropropagation is the practice of rapidly multiplying stock plant
material to produce a large number of progeny plants, using modern
plant tissue culture methods
Apical bud in media supplemented with 10 micro molar of zeatin or 0.2
micro molar of IAA is the best for shoot development.
In vitro propagation is still in the early stage.
Acclimatization of persimmon microtubules depend on:
Optimum temperature if 26 degree Celsius.
Continious lightening rather than under a 16 hour photoperiod.
Enhanced photosynthetic photoflux.

Cultivation planting and plant density

Best planted in June or early july.
Pit size of 1 m3 is dug.
Density depends on root stock and soil type.
The apricot is a small tree, 812m (2639ft) tall, with a trunk up
to 40cm (16in) in diameter and a dense, spreading canopy.

Training and
pruning
Dwarf cultivars are suited
to modified central leader.
Vigorous and semi-dwarf
are suited to palmette.
The advantage of
palmette are:
Earlier production, higher
yield and reduce wind
damage to branches and
fruits.
Light pruning during
dormant and early
summer.
Summer pruning
improves fruit size and
colour.

Pollination and fruit set

Female flower can set fruit parthenocarpically.

Low fruit and fruit fall are the main problem.
2-3 bee hives per hecter is recommended.
Presence of adequate polliniser is necessary.

Pests
Aphids
Spider mite
Earwig
Flat headed boarer
Leaf roller
Others: Humans and birds

Diseases
Bacterial canker and blast
Bacterial spot
Crown gall
Alterneria spot and fruit rot
Anthracnose
Lead spot
Green fruit rot
Powdery mildew
Rhizopus root rot
Scab
Shot hole

Disorders
Apricot gum boil
(unkonwn etiology)

Corenium blight

Harvesting
Fruits are well developed
Full yellow to pinkish yellow with no
visible background.
The ripening period of the fruit may
extend over a three-week period for
some varieties.
Harvested by clipping, leaving the
calayx and a short stem.
Two to three pickings recommended
per season.
Yield: 30- 40 t/ha

Thank