UMass Peach Cultivar Trial: 

 Observations and Comments 



Karen I. Hauschild 



Tree- fruit Program UMass Extension 



In the late 1980s, it became apparent that tree 

 fruit growers who marketed their crops primarily 

 through retail channels could benefit from increas- 

 ing their product mix. Adding or expanding a peach 

 planting, planting newer, better peach cultivars, or 

 adding nectarines or white-fleshed peaches each 

 could serve to increase cash flow, attract customers 

 earlier in the growing season, and provide an ex- 

 cellent alternative to over production of less popu- 

 lar apple cultivars. 



Very little research on peaches was undertaken 

 in Massachusetts during the 1980s. Growers re- 

 lied on information provided by other areas - such 

 as New Jersey, Michigan, and the Southern states. 

 Cultivars that were recommended in those areas 

 often did not adapt well to our growing conditions. 



Therefore, in 1990, funded by a grant from the 

 Massachusetts Fruit Growers' Association, I planted 

 a trial block of 15 cultivars (13 yellow-fleshed 

 peaches, one white-fleshed peach, and four nectar- 

 ines) at the University of Massachusetts Horticul- 

 tural Research Center in Belchertown. Trees were 

 planted, in groups of four per cultivar, at 10 by 20 

 ft. spacings. 



The primary goal of this planting was to make 

 a "quick & dirty" evaluation of hardiness, quality of 

 fruit, and productivity for each cultivar. In 1993, 

 seven additional cultivars were added (four yellow- 

 fleshed and three white-fleshed peaches); however, 

 tree death has force abandonment of this planting. 

 In 1994, two additional nectarines and two white- 

 fleshed peach cultivars were planted. Additional 

 cultivars will be planted in the spring of 1996, in- 

 cluding those planted in 1993. 



Cultivar choices were based on information pro- 

 vided by J. Frecon, Rutgers University, NJ, and from 

 Adams Co., Stark Brothers, and Hilltop Nurseries. 

 All trees were winter and summer pruned, fertil- 

 ized annually, and treated with insecticides, fungi- 

 cides, and herbicides according to conditions at the 

 Horticultural Research Center. 



Following are observations and comments on 

 each cultivar in this trial that has been evaluated 

 to date. Listing of cultivars included in new 

 plantings also is included. 



Yellow- fleshed Peaches 



Jerseydawn 



Redhaven 



Salem™<A> 



Flavorcrest 



New Haven 



Madison 



Ripens early to mid-August. 

 Good size, fewer split pits 

 than other early cvs., flavor 

 variable from year to year - 

 good, but not exceptional. 

 Less than 30% bud survival, 

 winter '93-'94. 



The most widely planted cv. 

 in MA orchards. Ripens mid- 

 August. First fruited in 1991. 

 Good size, flavor and skin 

 color. Less than 10% bud sur- 

 vival winter '93-'94. 



Fruited first in 1991 (two 

 boxes from 4 trees)! Size is 

 medium-large, good quality. 

 Flavor in 1995 was excellent. 

 Flesh is melting, juicy and 

 firm. Very few flower buds 

 survived the winter of '93-'94. 



First fruited in 1992. Ripens 

 mid- late August. Size is 

 good; flavor is good - survived 

 the winter of '93-'94 well - 75% 

 bloom above 4 ft.; 25% bloom 

 4 ft. to ground level. 



First fruited in 1992. Ripens 

 mid-August. Size is good, 

 color is good, fruit flavor is 

 excellent - flesh is firm but 

 melting. After the winter of 

 '93-'94, 75% bud survival top 

 of trees, 10% at 4 ft. and be- 

 low. 



First fruited in 1992. Ripens 

 early September (should be 

 available Labor Day). Trees 

 are very productive, fruit has 

 good size, flesh is juicy, melt- 

 ing, and has excellent peach 



Fruit Notes, Fall, 1995 



