Dedication and Acknowledgements
This publication is dedicated to the late Professor Franklin E. Correll, Department of Horticultural Science, and Dr. Carlyle N. Clayton, Professor Emeritus, Department of Plant Pathology, in recognition of their efforts in the development of high quality, bacterial spot resistant peach cultivars.
The authors wish to thank the many individuals who have participated in the peach breeding program in North Carolina since its inception in 1951. Special thanks are due to Mr. Clarence S. Black, Superintendent, Sandhills Research Station, Jackson Springs, N.C., for his assistance in field plot preparation and maintenance.
Introduced by the North Carolina Agricultural Research Service
1965 to 1981
Dennis J. Werner
Assistant Professor
Department of Horticultural Science
and
David F. Ritchie
Assistant Professor
Department of Plant Pathology
Introduction
A breeding program to develop superior peach varieties (cultivars) was initiated in 1951 by the North Carolina Agricultural Research Service (NCARS) as a cooperative effort between the Departments of Horticultural Science and Plant Pathology at North Carolina State University. The objective of this breeding program has been to develop consistent cropping, high quality, freestone peach cultivars ripening from late May through August which are resistant to bacterial spot (Xanttwmonas carnpestris pv. pruni). Another objective has been the development of peach cultivars exhibiting resistance to flesh browning. Fourteen yellow-fleshed cultivars have been released from this breeding program, and many are widely grown in North Carolina and in other peach-growing areas of the United States.
The selection of the proper cultivars for a commercial peach enterprise is one of the most important decisions to be made by the grower. No cultivar incorporates all the characteristics of an ideal peach, thus the grower must be familiar with all the characteristics of a peach cultivar so that a proper decision can be made on whether to include it in his overall orchard operation. The purpose of this bulletin is to summarize the specific characteristics of the cultivars released by the NCARS.
A brief description of the important characteristics will be followed by a review of each cultivar in order of ripening sequence. Ripening dates provided are average dates calculated from years of observation at the Sandhills Research Station, Jackson Springs, located in south central North Carolina where Redhaven ripens in late June to early July. Except for the cultivars Clayton, Correll, and Rubired, the peaches developed by the NCARS have been named for towns or communities located in or near the sandhills region of North Carolina.
General Description of Characteristics
Cropping Performance
Consistent annual production of a full fruit crop is one of the most important characteristics of a peach cultivar. Consistent yields depend upon time of bloom, the number of flower buds produced, the cold hardiness of the flower buds, and the general adaptability of a cultivar to a given growing area. Cultivars lacking consistent cropping potential are of little value in a commercial peach operation.
Flesh Browning
Wide differences exist in the rate and degree of flesh browning of peach cultivars after exposure to air. Peach cultivars possessing a high degree of resistance to flesh browning are preferred because bruises on the fruit are less noticeable and fresh or processed fruits of slow-browning cultivars are more attractive. Table 1 presents the flesh browning characteristics of the North Carolina cultivars along with other commercially important cultivars. Readers wishing to obtain further information on flesh browning of peach cultivars are referred to N. C. Horticulture Information Leaflet No. 356.
* High values indicate a lower flesh browning tendency. Cultivars with values greater than 22 are slow to brown, while cultivars with values less than 16 exhibit very rapid browning.
Fruit Firmness
Because many peaches produced in North Carolina are shipped to distant markets, fruit firmness is very important to ensure that they arrive in a marketable condition. Peach cultivars that do not have a high degree of firmness are more suitable for roadside stand or pick-your-own marketing.
Bacterial Spot Resistance
Many commercially important peach cultivars are susceptible to bacterial spot (Xanthomonas campestris pv. pruni), which affects both leaves and fruit and, on highly susceptible cultivars, often kills twigs. Since infected leaves drop from the tree, severe infection can weaken a tree, resulting in reduced flower bud production and increased susceptibility to winter injury. Infected fruit exhibit unattractive lesions, making them unacceptable for commercial use. Because bacterial spot infection is usually more severe where trees are grown in sandy soils, growers planting trees in such areas should choose cultivars having resistance to this disease.
Split-Pitting
Split-pit of peaches is a physiological disorder characterized by a splitting or shattering of the pit. Pit splitting has been associated with climate, high nitrogen, high moisture and fruit size. The magnitude of the disorder varies great ly among cultivars and among years, and it is usually worse in early-maturing (before Redhaven) cultivars. Affected fruits ripen earlier and may exhibit skin splitting near the stem end of the fruit, permitting entry of insects and disease-producing organisms.
Flower type
Peach cultivars exhibit a range of flower blossom size and showiness, but generally can be classified as showy (large, well developed petals) or non-showy (small, inconspicuous petals). Knowledge of the blossom type of a particular cultivar may be of importance in some instances in determining the "trueness" of a given cultivar, and can aid in eliminating off-type trees in a block.
Review of Cultivars
Whynot
Origin
Whynot is an open-pollinated seedling of Erly-Red-Fre. It was tested as NC6753, and was released in 1968.
Description
Whynot is the earliest ripening peach cultivar developed in the program and is one of the earliest ripening cultivars available. Fruit ripen from May 16 to 24, approximately 30 days before Redhaven. Fruit production on Whynot is only fair to good, with light crops in some years. This is due in part to the tendency of Whynot to produce a low number of flower buds in many years. Thus, little or no fruit thinning is necessary. Because Whynot fruit ripen so early, fruit size is small (1¾ to 2 inches) and thinning, if necessary, must be carried out early to obtain maximum fruit size. Fruit are round and attractive with short pubescence and a slightly pronounced suture and tip. The skin is 75-percent bright red with a medium yellow ground color. The flesh is firm, melting, slightly coarse and has good flavor for an early-ripening peach. Flesh color is medium yellow with very little red at the pit cavity. The pit clings to the flesh at fruit maturity. The flesh browns very rapidly when exposed to air (Table 1). Split pits have not been a serious problem in fruit of Whynot. Whynot trees are of medium vigor. The blooming date is about the same as Redhaven, and flowers are non-showy and self-fruitful. Flower buds possess average cold hardiness. Whynot is resistant to bacterial spot (Figure 1)
Hamlet
Origin
Hamlet resulted from a cross of Pekin x Candor. It was tested as NCA2684, and was released in 1975.
Description
First ripening dates of Hamlet are from May 23 to June 10, approximately 5 days later than Whynot and 25 days before Redhaven. Crop production history has been excellent and it usually sets a greater number of flower buds than Whynot. Early fruit thinning is essential in most years to obtain satisfactory fruit size, which usually averages 2 to 2¼ inches. Fruit are round and often exhibit a slightly pointed tip and a pronounced suture, particularly on younger trees. Pubescence is light and short. The skin is 70-percent bright red with a medium yellow ground color. The flesh is firm and melting with fine texture and good flavor. Flesh color is medium yellow with little or no red at the pit cavity. The flesh clings to the pit at maturity, separating from the pit only when soft-ripe. Eleven years of comparative evaluation have shown that Hamlet fruit have the highest level of resistance to flesh browning when compared with 91 other commercial cultivars (Table 1). Very few split pits have been observed. Trees are vigorous, and bloom about the same time as Redhaven. Flowers are non-showy and self-fruitful. Flower buds possess average cold hardiness. Hamlet is highly resistant to bacterial spot, with slightly better resistance than Whynot (Figure 1).
Derby
Origin
Derby resulted from a cross of North Carolina (NC) selection 7130 (Halehaven x Redskin) x Candor. It was tested as NCA2183, and was released in 1978.
Description
Fruit of Derby ripen in early-to-mid June, about 21 days before Redhaven and at approximately the same time as Candor and Correll. Derby has a good cropping performance, however it tends to produce a low number of flower buds in some years. Fruit size is large for an early season peach, averaging 2¼ to 2½ inches in diameter even under heavy crop conditions. Fruit shape is round with a slight bulge at the suture. Pubescence is light and short. The surface of the fruit is about 70-percent bright red with a medium yellow ground color. The flesh is firm, possesses good flavor and is fine textured. Flesh color is medium yellow with a small amount of red at the pit cavity. The melting flesh clings to the pit at maturity, but it is free when the fruit is ripe. Derby fruit ripens very uniformly and all fruit can usually be picked in two harvests. Derby is intermediate in resistance to flesh browning (Table 1). It often exhibits two undesirable characteristics: first, a high frequency (up to 70 percent) of split pits have occurred in some years; and second, the chilling requirement of Derby is similar to that of Redskin and Loring (about 750 hr). Therefore, Derby usually blooms earlier than most cultivars grown in North Carolina, and is more susceptible to bud damage caused by late spring freezes. Derby should be grown on good sites with adequate air drainage to minimize this risk. Flower buds appear to possess below-average cold hardiness. Flowers are nonshowy and self-fertile. Derby is highly resistant to bacterial spot (Figure 1) and trees are vigorous.
Correll
Origin
Correll resulted from a cross of Pekin x Candor. It was tested as NCA2699, and was released in 1975. Correll was named in recognition of the late Professor Franklin E. Correll.
Description
Correll fruit ripens at the same time as Derby, approximately 3 days before Candor and 21 days before Redhaven. It is a consistent producer and heavy thinning is required most years. Correll usually produces a greater number of flower buds than Derby. Fruit size is usually smaller than Derby, averaging 2¼ inches under normal crop loads. Many growers have reported problems in obtaining adequate fruit size on Correll. Split pits have not been a major problem. The fruit are round and pubescence is light and short. Skin color is 80- to 90-percent very dark red with a bright yellow ground color. The very dark red skin color on Correll is regarded as an objectional characteristic by some growers and consumers. The use of fungicidal sprays containing sulfur will increase the intensity of the red pigmentation and other fungicides should be considered to minimize this effect. The fine-textured flesh is firm with good flavor. Flesh color is medium yellow with slight red pigmentation at the pit. The pit is clingstone until the fruit is soft ripe. Correll has very high resistance to flesh browning (Table 1). The blooming date is about the same as Redhaven and flowers are non-showy and selffertile. Flower buds possess average cold hardiness. Correll exhibits moderate resistance to bacterial spot (Figure 1).
Candor
Origin
Candor resulted from a cross of Redhaven x Erly-Red-Fre. It was tested as NC7422 and was released in 1965.
Description
At present, Candor is the most widely grown and popular cultivar released from the North Carolina breeding program. It is grown extensively in many southeastern states. Candor ripens between June 5 and June 30, 3 days after Derby and Correll and 18 to 20 days before Redhaven. Candor has consistently produced heavy crops of fruit, even in years of adverse weather conditions. It is one of the most reliable early season cultivars. Fruit size is medium, averaging 2¼ to 2½ inches under full crop conditions. The fruit shape is round-oblong with a slight point at the tip of the fruit. Pubescence is very light and short. Skin color is an 80-percent mottled dark red blush over an attractive bright yellow ground color. The flesh is very firm and the texture is slightly coarse. Flesh flavor is excellent, but it is slightly more acidic than most peach cultivars. Flesh color is bright yellow, exhibiting slight red pigmentation at the pit. The flesh is not free until the fruit is soft-ripe. Split pits have been a problem in some years. Fruit are extremely resistant to flesh browning (Table 1). Trees of Candor are vigorous and bloom with Redhaven. Flowers are non-showy and self-fertile. Flower buds possess superior cold hardiness, and are very resistant to cold weather at bloom. Leaves and fruit are highly resistant to bacterial spot (Figure 1).
Rubired
Origin
Rubired resulted from a cross of Redhaven x Dixired. It was tested as NC4911 and was released in 1972.
Description
Rubired usually ripens between June 12 and June 26, 10 days after Candor and 10 days before Redhaven. Rubired has a good-to-excellent crop production record, and usually requires heavy thinning to obtain maximum fruit size. Fruit size is large for an early season peach, averaging 2½ inches under normal crop conditions. The fruit is round, and pubescence is very light and short. Rubired has a very attractive bright red skin color, covering 70 to 80 percent of the fruit surface. The ground color is an attractive bright yellow. The flesh is very firm and fine grained in texture, and is resistant to flesh browning (Table 1). At the soft-ripe stage, the fruit is semi-clingstone. Flesh is medium yellow with little or no red pigmentation. Rubired often produces a high percentage of split pits. Trees of Rubired are vigorous and bloom with Redhaven. Flowers are non-showy and self-fertile. Flower buds are equivalent to Redhaven in cold hardiness. Leaves and-fruit of Rubired are highly resistant to bacterial spot (Figure 1).
Pekin
Origin
Pekin resulted from a cross of Summercrest x Redhaven. It was tested as NC7366, and was released in 1968.
Description
Pekin usually ripens from June 20 to July 3, approximately 3 days before Redhaven. Good to heavy crops of fruit are usually produced. Fruit size is medium averaging about 2½ inches. Fruit shape is round to slightly ovate. Pekin fruit often possess a pointed tip and a pronounced suture, which detracts from their appearance. Pubescence is light and short. An attractive red blush covers 75 to 85 percent of the skin surface over a light yellow ground color. The flesh is equal to Redhaven in firmness and is medium yellow with a small amount of red color. The flesh texture is fine grained, and the fruit have good flavor. In most years, Pekin will be classed as a semi-clingstone at fruit maturity, becoming freestone when softripe. Flesh of Pekin is intermediate in browning tendency (Table 1). Very few split pits have been observed on Pekin. In some years, fruit do not ripen uniformly on the tree, necessitating frequent harvests. Trees of Pekin are of medium vigor, and bloom slightly after Redhaven. Flowers are non-showy and self-fertile, and equivalent to Redhaven in cold hardiness. Leaves and fruit of Pekin are highly resistant to bacterial spot (Figure 1).
Clayton
Origin
Clayton resulted from a cross of Pekin x Candor. It was tested as NCA2679 and was released in 1976. Clayton was named in honor of Dr. Carlyle N. Clayton.
Description
Clayton fruit ripen from June 25 to July 10, about 3 to 5 days after Redhaven. Trees of Clayton produce an extremely high number of flower buds, and very heavy fruit set is common. Therefore, in years of heavy fruit set, early and heavy fruit thinning is required to attain adequate fruit size. Heavy flower bud production is an advantage in years of flower bud damage due to freezing temperatures, since a greater flower bud reserve exists to produce a potential fruit crop. Clayton fruit are medium size, usually averaging 2¼ to 2½ inches. Fruit shape is round to slightly oblong, with a slight tip. Pubescence is very light and short. Clayton fruit have a beautiful bright red skin color, covering about 75-percent of the fruit surface. The ground color is a very attractive bright yellow.
Clayton is one of the most externally attractive peach cultivars available. The flesh has good firmness and is melting with a fine texture. Fruit are excellent in flavor. The flesh color is deep yellow with red around the pit cavity. The pit is fully free in most years. The flesh of Clayton is highly resistant to flesh browning (Table 1). The fruit are very resistant to split pits. Clayton trees are vigorous, and bloom with Redhaven. Flowers are nonshowy and self-fertile, and quivalent to Redhaven in cold hardiness. Clayton is highly resistant to bacterial spot (Figure 1), and also appears to possess resistance to peach leaf curl (Taphrina deformans).
Norman
Origin
Norman resulted from a cross of Sunhigh x Redskin. It was tested as NC7244 and was released in 1968.
Description
The ripening date of Norman ranges from June 25 to July 12, about 6 days after Redhaven. Good to heavy uniform crops of fruit are usually produced and heavy thinning is necessary in most years. Fruit are medium to large, averaging 2½ to 2¾ inches and they are round with very short and light pubescence. A very dark red overcolor covers 80 to 90 percent of the skin surface. As with Correll, some individuals object to the very dark red pigmentation. Fungicide sprays containing sulfur should be avoided to minimize the intensity of red skin pigmentation. The ground color is medium to dull yellow. A considerable amount of red pigmentation develops in the skin prior to fruit maturity, and care must be exercised to avoid picking the fruit immature. Norman's. most outstanding characteristic is its excellent flesh firmness. It is one of the firmest melting flesh-type commercial peach cultivars available, and is particularly well adapted to long distance shipping. Fruit of Norman also maintain their firmness for an extended period, a valuable trait for pick-your-own and roadside stand marketing alternatives. Flesh color is medium yellow with a small amount of red pigment at the pit cavity. The flesh texture is fine grained and melting, and flavor is excellent. The pit is free from the flesh at maturity and the fruit are very resistant to flesh browning (Table 1). Trees of Norman are vigorous and bloom 3 to 4 days before Redhaven. Flowers are large, showy, and selffertile, and equivalent to Redhaven in cold hardiness. Norman is resistant to bacterial spot, being slightly better than Redhaven (Figure 1).
Troy
Origin
Troy resulted from a cross of Raritan Rose x Redskin. It was tested as NC4640 and was released in 1968.
Description
Fruit of Troy usually ripen from July 3 to July 14, about 4 days after Norman and 10 days after Redhaven. Troy has had an inconsistent cropping record, producing light crops in some years. In many years, only very light or no fruit thinning will be required. The basis for low fruit set on Troy appears to reside in its tendency to produce a low number of flower buds. Therefore, Troy should be grown only on sites with good air drainage. Fruits are round with short, light pubescence. Fruit of Troy are large, averaging 2¼ to 2¾ inches. Although the flesh color of Troy is bright yellow to orange, Troy's skin color and flesh aromatic properties strongly resemble those of its white-fleshed parent, Raritan Rose. A very bright red blush covers 60 to 70 percent of the skin surface over a medium yellow ground color. Fruit flavor is excellent, and the flesh is very aromatic. Troy does not have a high degree of fruit firmness. Fruit soften quite rapidly after picking, and generally are not suitable for long distance shipping. The pit is free from the flesh at maturity, and the fruit is very resistant to split-pitting. The flesh of Troy is intermediate in resistance to flesh browning (Table 1). Trees are vigorous, and bloom 3 to 4 days before Redhaven. Flowers are non-showy, self-fertile, and slightly less cold hardy than Redhaven. Troy is moderately resistant to bacterial spot, with resistance slightly better than Redhaven (Figure 1).
Winblo
Origin
Winblo resulted from an open-pollinated seedling of Redskin. It was tested as NC8969 and was released in 1972.
Description
Ripening dates for Winblo range from July 10 to July 21, 14 days after Redhaven. It has a good to excellent crop production history and will require fruit thinning in most years. Fruits are round with extremely short and sparse pubescence. The skin color is very attractive, with 75 percent of the fruit surface a bright red blush over a light yellow ground color. Fruit of Winblo are large, averaging 2½ to 2¾ inches under a full crop load. The flesh has average firmness, fine texture and is light yellow in color. Flavor is excellent. The pit is free from the flesh at maturity and the fruit are very resistant to split-pitting. The flesh is very resistant to flesh browning (Table 1). Trees of Winblo are vigorous, and bloom 3 to 4 days before Redhaven. Flowers are showy and self-fertile, and slightly less cold hardy than Redhaven. Winblo is moderately resistant to bacterial spot, with resistance equivalent to that of Redskin (Figure 1).
Ellerbe
Origin
Ellerbe resulted from a cross of Pekin x Candor. It was tested as NCA2705 and was released in 1975.
Description
Ellerbe ripens in the same season as Winblo. Its cropping performance has been excellent with heavy thinning required in most years. Ellerbe usually produces a greater number of flower buds than Winblo. Fruits are round to round-oblong with short and sparse pubescence. Ellerbe fruit are similar to those of Winblo except that the ground color is brighter yellow and it has more red pigmentation around the pit cavity. Fruit size is usually slightly less than that of Winblo under similar crop load conditions. Flesh firmness is slightly better than that of Winblo and the flesh is bright yellow in color. Ellerbe is moderately resistant to flesh browning (Table 1). Flavor is excellent. The pit is free from the flesh at maturity, and the fruit are very resistant to split-pitting. Many fruit exhibit a distinct air space between the pit and the flesh. This may be disadvantageous, because this makes the fruit a bit more susceptible to damage during harvest and postharvest operations. Trees of Ellerbe are vigorous, and bloom slightly before Redhaven. Flowers are non-showy and self-fertile. It is highly resistant to bacterial spot (Figure 1).
Biscoe
Origin
Biscoe resulted from a cross of Raritan Rose x Redskin. It was tested as NC4639 and was released in 1968.
Description
Ripening dates for Biscoe range from July 23 to August 1, 25 days after Redhaven, or about the same time as Redskin. Crop production has generally been good, with occasional light crops produced due to spring freeze injury. Thinning is necessary in most years. Fruit are round with medium pubescence. The skin color is a 50- percent light red blush over a deep yellow ground color. Fruit of Biscoe are usually large, averaging 2½ to 2¾ inches, although some growers have experienced difficulty in obtaining adequate fruit size. Therefore, heavy thinning is recommended to minimize this problem. Like Troy, Biscoe also has a white-fleshed parent, Raritan Rose, and Biscoe's flavor and aromatic qualities somewhat resemble those of white flesh peaches. The flesh is fine textured and deep yellow to light orange in color. Firmness is slightly below average and the thin skin is quite susceptible to breaking. The pit is free from the flesh at fruit maturity, and the fruit are very resistant to split-pitting. Biscoe produces a considerable number of "buttoned" fruit in some years. Buttoned fruit are small ( <1 inch dia.) hard fruit that result from poor fertilization. They usually persist on the tree throughout the growing season, but never undergo a normal ripening pattern. Buttoned fruit are most common in years of cold temperature at time of bloom. The flesh of Biscoe browns very rapidly (Table 1). Trees are vigorous, and bloom 2 to 3 days before Redhaven. The flowers are non-showy and self-fertile. Biscoe flower buds exhibit extremely high mid-winter cold hardiness, however, they are apparently less cold hardy than Redhaven during spring bud development. Biscoe is highly resistant to bacterial spot (Figure 1).
Emery
Origin
Emery resulted from a cross of Rochester x Redskin. It was tested as NC9062 and was released in 1968.
Description
Ripening dates for Emery range from August 2 to August 14, 34 days after Redhaven and 8 days after Redskin. Crop production has been excellent and thinning is necessary in most years. Fruits are round with heavy pubescence. Emery is below average in attractiveness, with 50 percent of the fruit surface covered with a dull red blush over a dull yellow ground color. Fruit are medium in size, averaging 2½ inches under full crop conditions. Emery has excellent fruit firmness, and the fruit keep well after harvest. The medium yellow flesh is melting, but it is slightly mealy and dry. Flavor is average. The pit is free from the flesh at maturity, and the fruit are very resistant to split-pitting. The flesh browns readily (Table 1). Trees are vigorous, and bloom at the same time or slightly after Redhaven. The flowers are showy, self-fertile, and possess cold hardiness slightly better than Redhaven. Emery is resistant to bacterial spot (Figure 1).
| Cultivar | First ripening dates | Fruit | Bacterial spot resistance | Crop production record | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| size | Freeness of pit | Flesh firmness | Flesh Browning | ||||
| Whynot (NC6753) | 5/16-5/24 | small | cling | good | fast | high | fair-good |
| Hamlet (NCA2684) | 5/23-6/10 | medium | cling | good | slow | high | very good |
| Derby (NCA2183) | 5/30-6/20 | med-large | cling | good | moderate | very high | good |
| Correll (NCA2699) | 5/30-6/20 | medium | cling | good | slow | moderate | good |
| Candor (NC7422) | 6/5-6/20 | medium | cling | good | slow | very high | excellent |
| Rubired (NC4911) | 6/12-6/26 | med-large | cling | very good | slow | very high | good |
| Pekin (NC7366) | 6/20-7/3 | medium | semi-cling | good | moderate | very high | excellent |
| Clayton (NCA2679) | 6/25-7/10 | medium | free | good | slow | very high | excellent |
| Norman (NC7244) | 6/25-7/12 | med-large | free | excellent | slow | high | excellent |
| Troy (NC4640) | 7/3-7/14 | med-large | free | fair | moderate | moderate | fair |
| Winblo (NC8969) | 7/10-7/21 | med-large | free | good | slow | moderate | very good |
| Ellerbe (NCA2705) | 7/10-7/21 | med-large | free | very good | moderate | high | very good |
| Biscoe (NC4639) | 7/23-8/1 | large | free | good | fast | high | good |
| Emery (NC9062) | 8/2-8/15 | med-large | free | very good | fast | high | very good |
*small = 1¾ - 2 inch; medium = 2 - 2¼ inch; medium-large = 2¼ - 2½ inch; large = >2½ inch.
Figure 1. Relative bacterial spot resistance ratings of North Carolina peach cultivars and other standard commercial cultivars (0 to 20 = very susceptible; 20 to 50 = susceptible; 50 to 70 = resistant; 70 and above = highly resistant). North Carolina cultivars highlighted in blue.
Figure 2. Pedigree of North Carolina peach cultivars. North Carolina cultivars are in bold print and highlighted in blue.
Sta. Bull. 464 (reprint) April, 1983
Agricultural Research Service
North Carolina State University
D.F. Bateman, Director of Research
Publication date: Jan. 1, 1983
AG-464
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