Apple variety Siyana, from the Fruit Growing Institute – Kyustendil – a promising variety enriching the varietal structure of Bulgaria

Trends in apples are towards disease-resistant cultivars with uniform ripening and even fruits, weighing about 180 grams and with firm flesh. Such cultivars are Florina, Golden Resistant, Starkrimson, Pinova, Gala, Jonagold, Besapara, Marlena, explains Assoc. Prof. Stanislava Dimitrova, PhD, from the Institute of Agriculture (IA) – Kyustendil.

With its valuable selected traits, the cultivar Siyana fully fits as a modern and promising cultivar that meets the requirements of today’s breeding, enriching the varietal structure of Bulgaria. Furthermore, its resistance to apple scab makes the cultivar suitable for organic fruit production.

Prof. Dimitar Sotirov, PhD, from the Institute of Agriculture (IA) – Kyustendil with the “Golden Plaque” award from the Inventors’ Competition – Agra 2023

This is also evidenced by the “Golden Plaque” award granted to him within the framework of the Inventors’ Competition – Agra 2023 by the Union of Inventors in Bulgaria, which confirms Siyana as a valuable apple cultivar.

The breeders of the cultivar are Assoc. Prof. Atanas Blagov, PhD, and Prof. Dimitar Sotirov, PhD, from the Institute of Agriculture (IA) – Kyustendil. 

It was obtained by crossing the cultivars Florina × McFree. It was approved by the Executive Agency for Variety Testing, Field Inspection and Seed Control (IASAS) in 2015.

The tree is of moderate growth, resistant to apple scab, forming a rounded crown. On MM 106 rootstock it enters into bearing in the second year after planting, it bears on weak and short shoots and has regular bearing with good to very good productivity. 

Photo © IA – Kyustendil, cultivar Siyana

The fruits are medium large (130–150 g), conical-globose, uniform in shape and size, with weak ribbing and slight waxy bloom. The ground colour of the skin is greenish to yellow-green, and the overcolour is light red, evenly distributed, being darker red on the side exposed to the sun. The flesh is yellowish, tender, juicy, with a slight aroma and very good eating quality.

The fruits ripen between 20–25 September and can be stored under ordinary conditions until January.