Peach producers now have two new cultivars to consider as part of their farming operations.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) stone fruit program in Byron, Georgia announced it has released two new early season peach cultivars named ‘May Joy’ and ‘Cardinal Joy.’
May Joy requires at least 650 chill hours and produces yellow-fleshed, clingstone fruit that usually ripens approximately a week before ‘Flavorich’ and 2 to 3 weeks before ‘Carored’ in early-to-mid-May in Byron. May Joy fills an earlier season niche than currently planted cultivars.
‘Cardinal Joy’ requires at least 850 chill hours and produces yellow-fleshed, semi-freestone fruit. The fruit typically ripens about a week after Flavorich and a few days before Carored in mid-to-late May in Byron. Cardinal Joy is a promising higher chilling requirement alternative in the early season. Both new cultivars are suited for trial in areas where Flavorich and Carored are produced.
Prospective licensees and requesters for the materials may contact USDA, ARS, Office of Technology Transfer at 5601 Sunnyside Ave, Room 4-1192, Beltsville, MD 20705-5131, USA or via license@usda.gov.