Author
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Ledbetter, Craig |
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Submitted to: HortScience
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 2/1/2016 Publication Date: 4/6/2016 Citation: Ledbetter, C.A. 2016. ‘Goshen Gold’: A late-season Apricot for fresh and dry product markets. HortScience. 51(3):300-301. Interpretive Summary: Apricot is generally the first stone fruit to appear at markets in late spring and the first to leave markets after all cultivars have completed maturity. California orchards provide 90% of the apricot grown domestically to the fresh and processing markets. High quality cultivars suitable for cultivation in the hot San Joaquin Valley are demanded by apricot producers for specific marketing windows. ARS researchers in Parlier, CA have been breeding apricots since the 1950s and have recently developed a late-season cultivar that extends the apricot maturity window approximately 10 days beyond the current latest maturing cultivar. Named Goshen Gold, the new cultivar provides producers with a self-fruitful tree that is both vigorous and productive, and can be marketed fresh as well as cut and dried to a high-color premium product. When dried, Goshen Gold has a dry ratio just under 4.0, and dry product retains color significantly better than cultivar Patterson, the predominant apricot used as drying stock in California. Availability of this new late-ripening apricot for propagation and production will provide another high quality cultivar alternative for growers and may encourage further consumer sales. Technical Abstract: Goshen Gold is the most recent apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) developed by the Agricultural Research Service Prunus breeding program in Parlier, CA, being released for propagation in 2014. The new cultivar is self-compatible and capable of setting full crops without the presence of other cultivars to facilitate fruit set. Goshen Gold fruit ripen late, approximately 10 d after Patterson harvest. Fruit of the new cultivar resist pit-burning well, are generally dull gold-yellow in color and without significant blush. From adequately thinned trees, fresh market producers can expect 70 g fruit that are juicy and fine-grained with bright orange flesh. Postharvest life of Goshen Gold at commercial maturity has been very good, and fresh eating quality has been extremely favorable during presentation at limited consumer trials. Goshen Gold fruit hang well on the tree and continue to accumulate sugar as maturity progresses. Picked optimally for drying, Goshen Gold produces a bright orange product with a low drying ratio and significantly better color retention during storage than Patterson. |
