Analysis of cultivar diversity and breeding directions of stone fruit crops in Russia

Abstract

This paper presents an analytical review of the current state of cultivar diversity and breeding directions for stone fruit crops in the Russian Federation, taking into account their genetic potential, cultivar structure, legal protection status of breeding achievements, and regional characteristics of commercial cultivation. Based on data from the State Register of Varieties and Hybrids of Agricultural Plants Approved for Use (628 cultivars), as well as official production statistics for 2023–2024, the study examines the scale of species diversity, the share of protected cultivars, and the distribution of cultivars by species, regions of approval, and intended use. It is shown that the most intensive commercial cultivation of stone fruit crops is concentrated in the Southern and North Caucasian Federal Districts. In the Central and Volga Federal Districts, however, there remains an imbalance between the genetic potential of cultivars and the implementation of their production capabilities. Russian breeding centers are demonstrating significant progress regarding the range of adaptive cultivars of sweet cherry, sour cherry, plum, apricot, and cherry plum, including the development of new genotypes exhibiting a combination of such economically valuable traits as winter hardiness, tolerance to abiotic stressors, self-fertility, stable yield, and fruit quality.