Achievements in Apricot Breeding in the World

U radu su prikazani ciljevi i metode oplemenjivanja kajsije (Prunus armeniaca L.), kao i najznačajniji rezultati na stvaranju novih sorti u poslednjih 20 godina. U navedenom periodu u svetu je stvoreno oko 500 novih sorti kajsije. Najveći broj novih sorti kajsije je stvoren u SAD, a zatim slede Francuska, Italija, Rusija, Španija, Rumunija, Ukrajina i Češka. U stvaranju sorti kajsije dominira javni sektor (državne institucije), dok je privatni sektor manje zastupljen. Privatni programi oplemenjivanja zastupljeni su u SAD, Francuskoj, Italiji, Španiji, Nemačkoj, Izraelu i Australiji.This paper presents the objectives and methods of apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) breeding and the most significant results in the creation of new cultivars in the last 20 years. During this period, about 500 new apricot cultivars were created in the world. The largest number of new apricot cultivars was created in the United States, followed by France, Italy, Russia, Spain, Romania, Ukraine, and the Czech Republic. The apricot cultivar development is dominated by the public sector (more than 60%), while the private sector is less involved. Private breeding programs take place only in few countries: the United States, France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Israel, and Australia. The majority of new cultivars was obtained by controled hybridization. Much smaller number was obtained by clonal selection or selection from natural populations. The most important achievements in apricot breeding are: extension of the harvest season (over three months), resistance to Plum Pox Virus, winter frost hardiness, increase in fruit size, more attractive fruit appearance (extensive red blush on the skin), better fruit quality (higher firmness, higher sugar content). Many new cultivars of apricots represent a significant improvement over the existing assortment in terms of adaptation to environmental conditions, fruit appearance and quality, yield, and resistance to diseases. Their cultivation will contribute to increasing the economic effects of apricot production