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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Byron, Georgia » Fruit and Tree Nut Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #191770
Title: GULFKING AND GULFCREST: NEW PEACHES FOR THE SOUTHEASTERN LOWER COASTAL PLAIN

Author
item KREWER, GERALD - UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA
item Beckman, Thomas
item CHAPARRO, JOSE - UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
item SHERMAN, WAYNE - UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA

Submitted to: Peach Times
Publication Type: Trade Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/22/2006
Publication Date: 4/15/2006
Citation: Krewer, G., Beckman, T.G., Chaparro, J., Sherman, W. 2006. Gulfking and Gulfcrest: new peaches for the southeastern lower coastal plain. Peach Times. 4:5.

Interpretive Summary: The fresh market peach shipping industry of the southeastern lower coastal plain has unique climatic and marketing constraints that have not been addressed by traditional breeding programs in other parts of the United States. The purpose of the 3-way cooperative project between the USDA, University of Georgia and University of Florida is to address the variety development needs of this unique industry. Gulfking and Gulfcrest peaches were recently released by this program for grower trial. Trees of Gulfking and Gulfcrest produce attractive, sweet-tasting, yellow and non-melting flesh fruit intended for the fresh fruit market. They are expected to produce fruit with tree-ripened aroma and taste while retaining firmness for longer shelf life than fruit from conventional melting-flesh cultivars. This program is ongoing and has many advanced selections currently under evaluation with several nearing release.

Technical Abstract: The primary goal of the 3-way cooperative project between the USDA, University of Georgia and University of Florida is to develop improved fresh-market peach cultivars for use in the early season, moderate-chill area of the lower coastal plain of the southeastern U.S. Gulfking and Gulfcrest peaches were recently released by this program for grower trial. Trees of Gulfking are estimated to require 350 chill units. Fruit ripen 73-80 days from full bloom. Fruit are large, averaging 2.5" diameter. Commercially ripe fruit exhibit 80-90 percent red over a deep yellow to orange ground color. Fruit shape is round with a recessed tip. Pits have little tendency to split even when crop loads are low. Gulfking will likely be best adapted in areas where Flordaking has been grown successfully. Trees of Gulfcrest are estimated to require 525 chill units. Fruit ripen 62-75 days from full bloom. The fruit are medium-large, averaging nearly 2.4" diameter. Commercially ripe fruit exhibit 90-95 percent red over a deep yellow to orange ground color. Fruit shape is round with a recessed tip. Pits have very little tendency to split even when crop loads are low. Gulfcrest will likely be best adapted where both Flordaking and June Gold have been grown successfully.