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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Byron, Georgia » Fruit and Tree Nut Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #144138
Title: 2001 PEACH VARIETY EVALUATIONS AND WEB SITE DEVELOPMENT

Author
item LAYNE, DESMOND - CLEMSON UNIVERSITY
item COX, DUNCAN - CLEMSON UNIVERSITY
item NEWALL, JR, W - CLEMSON UNIVERSITY
item Okie, William

Submitted to: National and Southeast Peach Convention Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/20/2002
Publication Date: 2/1/2002
Citation: Layne, D.R., Cox, D.B., Newall, Jr, W.C., Okie, W.R. 2002. 2001 peach variety evaluations and web site development. National and Southeast Peach Convention Proceedings. p.54-55.

Interpretive Summary: Proper peach variety is one of the most critical choices a grower or homeowner can make when they establish a new orchard. This web-site reports evaluations of peach varieties in South Carolina and includes photos as well as descriptions. Many of the newest USDA-ARS breeding lines are also being tested and are included. The site is easy to use and will help growers make a better choice for a new orchard.

Technical Abstract: During the 2001 growing season, over 200 peach and nectarine varieties and advanced selections (both yellow and white-fleshed) were evaluated at the Musser Fruit Research Farm, Clemson University, Clemson, SC. The earliest variety was harvested May 11 and the latest was September 13. This is part of a long-term project to determine suitability of new cultivars and advanced selections, for SC in particular. Many selections were from the breeding program in USDA-ARS, Byron, GA. Some varieties may perform better or poorer in neighboring states depending on location, disease and insect pressure, chill hours received, etc. For nearly every variety evaluated this year, fruit size was larger than in 2000. This was likely due to early flower thinning due to freezes in early March. Most trees had a good crop load and were thinned appropriately. All trees were irrigated throughout the growing season as necessary. It was also noted that nearly every variety was harvested commercial ripe 1 to 5 days earlier than in 2000. Current emphasis is to look at new and promising germplasm, primarily. However, at two grower sites in SC, advanced selections were planted among industry standards for comparison purposes. Data from these trials will begin to be available in 2002. Variety images, evaluation tables and other relevant peach information can be found at the following peach web site: http://www.clemson.edu/hort/peach/peachhome.htm.