AN INTEGRATED APRICOT BREEDING PROGRAM IN FRANCE JOINING CEP INNOVATION - CENTREX AND INRA

The French apricot production is located in the South-Eastern part of the country and focused both in the Rhone valley and close to the Mediterranean Sea. The north of the Rhone valley is characterized by a continental climate while the southern region (Rhone valley and Mediterranean area) is under warm typical Mediterranean climate. Obviously apricot fruit production depends on a specific panel of cultivars in each area of cultivation due to economic and adaptation constraints. In order to enlarge the panel of cultivars to be developed by the growers in each region an integrated breeding program is developed at a national level in France with the participation of INRA, CENTREX and CEP INNOVATION. The main goals of the breeding program are: the elaboration of cultivars suitable for a durable production (including resistance to pests and disease), production regularity (including self-fertility and quality of the flowers), and fruit quality (including taste, attractiveness, and suitability for the transport). The evaluation phase is organized in the 3 main areas of production (Perpignan, Nimes, Valence) and follows 3 complementary evaluation stages (i) observation of the hybrid on its own roots; (ii) evaluation of the best hybrids after grafting in the 3 main areas; (iii) assessment of the agronomic and commercial interest of the 'elite' accessions in small orchards. The main results issued from this program are presented: 8 registered cultivars, 4 new selections under registration, and the first PPV resistant cultivar 'Aramis' ® 'Shamade'.