Five New Peach and Nectarine Varieties for New Jersey Commercial and Home Orchardists

Introduction and Identification

The Rutgers Tree Fruit Breeding program continues to develop new varieties, providing growers more options for diverse and sustainable commercial production while also giving home garden enthusiasts more opportunities for successful backyard fruit production. These new varieties also create additional opportunities for extended harvest and improved fruit quality to replace some of the older varieties. The germplasm (genetic material) utilized for developing new varieties from Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station (NJAES) was sourced from different parts of the world. Germplasm plants were selected for vigor, tolerance to environmental stress, as well as for plant and fruit characteristics that may have the potential to increase consumer demand. The unique characteristics of the new NJAES varieties provide an opportunity for growers to garner more shelf space in retail establishments and provide more choices for consumers at direct markets. New Jersey farmers are growing peaches with traditional flavor as well as newer sweeter varieties with lower acidity. In addition, there is consumer interest in firmer varieties with different flesh colors and textures that these varieties offer.

Five varieties were developed after extensive multi-year evaluations and research at several locations throughout New Jersey, each representing different microclimates. Following these variety trials, they were officially released in 2017. Other existing, more common varieties have been described in Rutgers NJAES fact sheets FS1074 (flat peach varieties); FS1201 (yellow-fleshed peach varieties); FS1203 (white-fleshed peach varieties); and FS1204 (nectarine varieties). Fruit and tree characteristics of these new peach and nectarine varieties are described below. Figures 1 and 2 describe the relative harvest timing of these varieties compared to other well-known varieties.Trees are available through Adams County Nursery, which sells these as well as other varieties released by the Rutgers tree fruit breeding program.

Evelynn^TM NJ 357

This is a yellow-fleshed peach with semi-free stone and firm flesh. It is a low acid peach, which ripens with Redhaven. It has large size and very attractive full scarlet coloring, with smooth low pubescence and retains its firmness very well. This variety is always productive and exhibits a low susceptibility to bacterial spot. Three-year average: firmness (10.35 lb); diameter (2.87 in.); mass (7.3 oz./205 g); total titratable acidity (0.76 g/l); and total soluble solids (10.23 Brix).

Selena^TM NJ 358

This is a late season yellow peach with excellent firmness, ripening between "Jersey queen" and "Encore". Very large-fruited with attractive 50-80% red-on-yellow background. The fruit hangs well on the tree and has excellent flavor and coloring. This variety exhibits a low susceptibility to bacterial spot and is a productive choice. Three-year average: firmness (9.85 lb); diameter (3.10 in.); mass (8.6 oz./244 g); total titratable acidity (5.67 g/l); and total soluble solids (12.07 Brix).

Tiana^TM NJ 359

This is a late season yellow peach with free stone and very firm flesh, ripening between "Cresthaven" and "Encore." These large fruits have an excellent balance of acidity and sweetness. Provides exceptional flavor, with beautiful coloration (highly mottled (50-75%) red-on-yellow). This variety exhibits low susceptibility to bacterial spot. Three-year average: firmness (11 lb); diameter (2.67 in.); mass (9.6 oz./271 g); total titratable acidity (5.71 g/l); and total soluble solids (11.72 Brix).

Brigantine^TM NJN 102

This is a yellow-fleshed nectarine with semi-freestone, ripening July 20-25 just before "Summer Beaut" and "Redhaven". It has a solid scarlet coloring and a nice acidic flavor and firm melting flesh. Fruit skin is consistently free from blemishes. This is a very productive tree with low susceptibility to bacterial spot while fruit has moderate susceptibility to bacterial spot. Three-year average: firmness (9.05 lb); diameter (2.60 in.); mass (6.0 oz./172 g); total titratable acidity (1.46 g/l); and total soluble solids (10.05 Brix).

Silverglo^TM NJN 103

This white-fleshed nectarine has a clingstone/semi-free stone, and ripens between "Arctic Sweet" and "Arctic Jay". Its fruit is larger and more attractive than other white nectarines during that time of season. It has nice acidic flavor, attractive color, lots of pinkish-red color and very few skin blemishes. The tree is moderately vigorous with low susceptibility to bacterial spot. Three-year average: firmness (11.35 lb); diameter (2.67 in.); mass (6.7 oz./201 g); total titratable acidity (7.36 g/l); and total soluble solids (10.54 Brix).

Figure 1. Relative harvest time of new nectarine varieties in relation to other known varieties.

Month of Harvest	Yellow Nectarine	White Nectarine
Early July
	Mayfire Eastern Glo Nectafest Avalon Honey Blaze Brigantine	Arctic Star Jade Silver Gem Arctic Sweet Arctic Glo
Late July
Early August
	Summer Beaut Sunglo Flavortop Red Gold Fantasia	Silverglo Emeraude Arctic Jay Arctic Belle Honey Royale
Late August
September	Ambre	Zephyr Arctic Pride

Figure 2. Relative harvest time of new peach varieties in relation to other known varieties.

Month of Harvest	Yellow Peach	White Peach
Early July
	Rich May Desiree Flamin Fury PF 5D B Early Star Sentry Garnet Beauty Summer Serenade Glen Glo Gala Flamin Fury PF 15A	Spring Snow Sugar May Manon Scarlet Pearl Snowbrite Arctic Sweet
Late July
Early August
	Reliance Evelynn Red haven PF 9A-007 Blazing Star Flamin Fury PF 13 John Boy Starfire John Boy II Earnie's Choice Flamin Fury PF 17 Crimson Rocket Glohaven Bounty Allstar Flavorburst Contender Flamin Fury PF 19-007 Loring Flamin Fury PF 23 July Prince Gloria Flamin Fury PF 24-007	White Lady Snow Beauty Klondike Caroline Belle Sugar Giant Opale Benedict Blushing Star August Rose Lady Nancy
Late August
Early September
	Selena Summerfest PF 28-007 Encore Tiana Autumn Star Laurol Victoria	Snow Giant Yukon King September Snow
Late September

 

References:

1. Flat Peach Varieties for New Jersey
2. Yellow-Fleshed Peach Varieties for New Jersey Commercial and Home Orchardists
3. White-Fleshed Peach Varieties for New Jersey Commercial and Home Orchardists
4. Nectarine Varieties for New Jersey Commercial and Home Orchardists

Photo credits: Hemant Gohil, Jerry Frecon, and Adams County Nursery

January 2019