Scientists from the All-Russian Scientific Research Institute for Breeding Fruit Crops have developed a winter-hardy quince variety

The article provides an overview of the common quince fruit crop, highlighting its historical use and unique characteristics. Originating in Transcaucasia and Central Asia, the plant is now cultivated in the Caucasus, Central Asia, Crimea, Moldova, southern Russia, and Ukraine. It is known for its thermophilic nature and late flowering, which makes it less susceptible to spring frosts. The plant bears fruit mainly on one-year growth, with the highest yield between the ages of 8 and 20.

Research institutions like the RUE “Institute of Fruit Growing” in Belarus have developed winter-hardy varieties of common quince, and the article discusses three varieties introduced from other regions of Russia. These varieties, grafted onto common quince selection seedlings by VNIISPK, have shown promise in central Russia despite some challenges such as cracking at high humidity and freezing of the plant's tops in certain winters. The selected seedlings of the common quince selection VNIISPK are noted for their sufficient winter hardiness of the aboveground and root systems, suggesting potential for breeding new varieties for various conditions.