Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: What’s New in Peach Varieties and Rootstocks?

By Frank Giles

Peach breeders at Clemson University and University of Georgia (UGA) work to develop varieties that are suited for the Southeast climate and for resistance to various pests. Dario Chavez, UGA associate professor, describes a rootstock developed in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Ksenija Gasic, Clemson professor, describes three newer peach variety releases.

P-22 Rootstock

P-22 is a seed-propagated peach rootstock that combines peach tree short life disease resistance, moderate resistance to Meloidogyne floridensis, tolerance to ring nematode (Mesocriconema xenoplax) and slightly reduced vigor compared to Guardian. In addition, P-22 has a level of resistance (survival) to Armillaria root rot (ARR) which falls midway between MP-29 and Guardian rootstocks in ARR-infested soils. It is a red leaf rootstock which makes root suckers easy to identify in comparison with other rootstocks available in the market.

In replicated trials in Georgia, yield and fruit size were comparable to Guardian-budded trees. Being seed propagated, P-22 fits into the established propagation system used by Tennessee nurseries. Peach varieties budded to P-22 are currently available from Tennessee nurseries. Its commercial brand name is yet to be determined.

CaroRes Wonder (SC2)

CaroRes Wonder is an early yellow-fleshed peach with an estimated chilling requirement of about 500 hours (30–35 chill portions). It ripens from mid- to late-May, about one to two days earlier than Carored and around the same time as Crimson Lady and Springprince. Fruit are about 175 grams, firm, juicy, melting and clingstone. CaroRes Wonder has excellent eating quality, about 10 Brix and medium tolerance to bacterial spot. 

CaroRes Delight (SC9)

CaroRes Delight is a mid-blooming peach requiring about 800 chill hours (40–45 chill portions). It ripens from late May into early June, similar to Rubyprince or Crimson Lady. Fruit are large and uniform, averaging about 180 grams, with about 90% blush, very good firmness, non-melting clingstone flesh and good flavor at about 10 Brix. Trees have high packout potential and fruit resistance to bacterial spot.

EveRes Ruby (SC1)

EveRes Ruby is an early- to mid-blooming peach with an estimated chilling requirement of about 800 hours (40–45 chill portions). It ripens in the first week of June, three to four days after Rubyprince and two to three days before Summerprince. Fruit are large, about 200 grams, sweet, melting and freestone. With about 11 Brix, EveRes Ruby is slow softening, has excellent eating quality, extremely high packout and fruit resistance to bacterial spot.