Abstract:

‘Mengguan No.1’ and ‘Mengguan No. 2’ are the new cultivars that were selected from the seeding population of Xanthoceras sorbifolium. They are characterized by strong tree vigor, rapid growth, high yield, and high resistance. ‘Mengguan No.1’ has a stout fruiting branch and isolated petals, with white upper parts and purplish red lower parts. The flower stalk is long, with a dominant terminal inflorescence and high proportion of pregnant flowers. It produces large columnar fruits, containing 18 large seeds per fruit, and the weight of thousand grain is approximately 1 580 g. The petals of ‘Mengguan No. 2’ are folded and obovate. The upper part of the petals is white, fimbriate, and lobed, and the lower part is red. The flowering period of ‘Mengguan No. 2’ is 7-10 days later than that of other X. sorbifolium species in the same phenological area. It produces cylindrical fruits, containing 21 medium-sized seeds per fruit, and the weight of a thousand grain is approximately 1 080 g. It is suitable for planting in areas with 300-400 mm precipitation, annual average temperatures between 3.5-14.0 ℃, frost-free periods of 140-220 days, and with 1 900-3 100 h of annual sunshine. They require irrigation after planting, as well as irrigation and fertilization on demand during the growth phase, waterlogging prevention, and pruning in winter or early spring every year.

Key words: Xanthoceras sorbifolium, new cultivar, fruit, seed number