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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Byron, Georgia » Fruit and Tree Nut Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #171760
Title: PEACH EVALUATION WEBSITE

Author
item LAYNE, D - CLEMSON
item Okie, William
item HITZLER, E - CLEMSON

Submitted to: HortScience
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/25/2004
Publication Date: 8/1/2004
Citation: Layne, D.R., Okie, W.R., Hitzler, E.L. 2004. Peach evaluation website [abstract]. Hortscience. 39(4):800.

Interpretive Summary: The testing of peach and nectarine varieties and advanced selections for suitability of production in the southeastern U.S. has been conducted at Clemson University since 2000. Currently, there are 240+ vareities and advanced selections being tested at the university's Musser Fruit Farm in Seneca, S.C. The harvest season begins in early May and ends in the middle of September. Additionally, two on-farm grower trials were planted in the primary peach growing regions of the Piedmont (Cowpens, S.C.) and the Ridge (Monetta, S.C.). At the grower locations, advanced selections are compared with industry standard cultivars. Evaluation data collected includes bloom and ripe date, fruit set, shape, color, size, firmness, taste and disease susceptibility. Digital photos are taken to scale at commercial maturity. Evaluation information, photos, plus chill hours, variety descriptions and other valuable information are on the website. In 2004, substantial improvements were made to the site utilizing a database, search and compare tools. The website has been well received by the southeastern commercial peach growers and researchers and is utilized to assist them in cultivar selection and to learn more about peach culture in general.

Technical Abstract: The evaluation of peach and nectarine cultivars and advanced selections for suitability of production in the southeastern U.S. has been conducted at Clemson University since 2000. Currently, there are 240+ cultivars and advanced selections being tested at the university's Musser Fruit Farm in Seneca, S.C. The harvest season begins in early May and ends in the middle of September. Additionally, two on-farm grower trials were planted in the primary peach growing regions of the Piedmont (Cowpens, S.C.) and the Ridge (Monetta, S.C.). At the grower locations, advanced selections are compared with industry standard cultivars. Evaluation data collected includes bloom and ripe date, fruit set, shape, color, size, firmness, taste and disease susceptibility. Digital photos are taken to scale at commercial maturity. Evaluation information, photos, plus chill hours, variety descriptions and other valuable information are on the website. In 2004, substantial improvements were made to the site utilizing a database, search and compare tools. The website has been well received by the southeastern commercial peach growers and is utilized to assist them in cultivar selection and to learn more about peach culture in general.