Evaluating Apricots in Riverside, California: Identifying Productive Cultivars for a Low-Chill Environment

Apricot (Prunus armeniaca) was a thriving tree crop in California during the first half of the 20th century, with nearly 100,000 A under production at its peak in 1926 Foytik [1]. Since that time, production acreage has declined steadily to its current level of approximately 10,000 A. Harvested apricot volume in California has averaged just over 54,000 T annually over the last three reported years Holcomb [2]. Regions of production have shifted as well, with the bulk of the apricot industry now centered in the San Joaquin Valley near Patterson, CA, whereas previous production centers were varied, and extended throughout the milder coastal valleys from south of San Francisco Bay through San Benito county. Riverside County, in inland Southern California, was once a production center for apricot, with nearly 2,300 A under production in 1950 Hesse [3]. While production acreage has declined in California, enthusiasm for the tasty early-season fruit has not diminished, and the percentage of annual tonnage used for fresh sales (38%) is currently at an all-time high (B. Ferriera, President, Apricot Producers of California, personal communication). Poor fruit quality in the supermarket is a common concern for consumers interested in purchasing apricot, and a reason some consumers choose to attempt growing apricot at home. Consumers generally understand that the perish ability of ripe apricot demands that it be picked somewhat immature, enhancing shelf-life in the produce bin at the expense of high fruit quality at purchase. Home growers can wait to harvest at their leisure, obtaining the specific fruit maturity of these delicate fruit that they desire.