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NECTARINE CULTIVARS FOR NEW JERSEY 

 AND THEIR ADAPTATION TO NEW ENGLAND STATES 



Jerome L. Frecon 

 Gloucester County Agricultural Agent 

 Cooperative Extension Service 

 Cook College - Rutgers University 



Nectarines are fuzzless peaches. Commercially adapted cultivars are 

 genetically similar to peach cultivars except for their lack of pubescence 

 (fuzz). There are good and poor cultivars of both nectarines and peaches. 



Nectarines may be more difficult to grow for some because of their lack 

 of fuzz. The control of brown rot, and the elimination of insect stings, 

 and avoidance of mechanical injury are more difficult and generally more 

 costly than for peaches. Nectarines may be more difficult to market 

 because: (1) the California tree iruit industry has brainwashed retailers 

 and brokers into believing they are unique and can only be grown in 

 California; (2) growers on the East Coast have been growing inferior culti- 

 vars for years and equate these with all nectarines; (3) no outlets are 

 available for second grade fruit; {h) growers pick the fruit before it is 

 mature which has hurt the establishment of new markets. 



Nectarines have promise for E.istern markets because: (l) they do not 

 have fuzz and some consumers will not buy peaches because of it; (2) they 

 are more attractive than peaches because the best cultivars have solid 

 scarlet-red overcolor and high gloss; (3) the California tree fruit industry 

 has established good markets for nectarines which are open to Eastern culti- 

 vars that will have more red color, more maturity, and better flavor; (4) 

 these nectarines can be distributed in Eastern markets at a lower distribu- 

 tion cost. 



The following list of cultivars are recommended for areas that can grow 

 Redhaven, Loring, and Cresthaven peaches, three of our top cultivars in New 

 Jersey . 



SUMMER BEAUT: Firm me 1 1 i ng--ye 1 low flesh, freestone, SS% to 90^ scarlet red 

 skin color, medium-large size (2 1/2" to 2 3/'*")- Ovate, good quality, very 

 attractive, susceptible to brown rot. The tree is a reliable cropper 

 (slightly less than Redhaven), semi-vigorous, and susceptible to bacterial 

 spot. Ripens in early August {k weeks ahead of Elberta). 



SUNGLO: Firm mel t ing--yel low flesh, freestone, 75% to 80% orange to scarlet 

 red skin color, medium-large size (2 1/2" up). Globose to ovate, very good 

 quality, very attractive, but susceptible to brown rot. The tree is a 

 reliable cropper (but less than Redhaven), semi-vigorous, and susceptible to 

 bacterial spot. Ripens in mid-August (3 weeks ahead of Elberta). 



FLAVORTOP: Firm mel t ing--yel low flesh, freestone, 80? to 90% scarlet red 

 skin color, medium-large size (2 1/2" up). Globose to ovate, very good 

 quality, very attractive, but susceptible to brown rot. The tree is not a 

 reliable cropper (equal to Loring) is vigorous and suscpetible to bacterial 

 spot. Ripens in mid-August (2 weeks ahead of Elberta). 



REDGOLD: Firm mel t ing--yel low flesh, freestone, 80% to 90% scarlet red skin 

 color, medium-large size (2 1/2" and up). Globose to ovate, good quality, 

 very attractive, susceptible to brown rot. The tree is a reliable cropper 



