Apricot is in the Rosaceae family within the genus Prunus L., subgenus Prunophora Focke, and the section Armeniaca (Lam.) Koch. Depending on the classifi cation system, the number of apricot species ranges from 3 to 12. Six distinct species are usually recognized: P . brigantina Vill., P . holosericeae Batal, P . armeniaca L., P . mandshurica (Maxim), P . sibirica L., Japanese apricot P . mume (Sieb.) Sieb. & Succ. Vavilov placed apricot in three centers of origin: the Chinese center (Central and Western China), the Central Asiatic center (Afghanistan, northwest India and Pakistan, Kashmir, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Xinjing province in China and western Tien-Shan), and the Near-Eastern center (interior of Asia Minor). Kostina further divided the cultivated apricot according to their adaptability into four major ecogeographical groups : (1) the Central Asian group, (2) the Iran-Caucasian group, (3) the European group, and (4) the Dzhungar-Zailij group. Many local cultivars are grown in the different areas and producing countries; however, these cultivars lack important traits that needed by modern production and marketing systems. Breeding programs have and continue to develop cultivars with improved adaptability to the environment (temperature requirements, water defi cit), extension of the harvest season, fruit quality for fresh consumption and processing, productivity, adequate tree size, and resistance to biotic stresses. The major objectives in apricot breeding