A New Source of Peach Germplasm Containing Semi-freestone Nonmelting Flesh Types

Abstract

A freestone, nonmelting flesh peach would offer the opportunity to transport freestone peaches to distant markets, and so open lucrative export opportunities. Peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch.] germplasm segregating for semi-freestone and clingstone has been identified among the nonmelting flesh, open-pollinated progeny of the Univ. of Florida selection, Fla. 9-20C. The segregation approached a 1 : 1 ratio. No significant differences were detected between the two categories for titratable acidity, soluble solids concentration, or skin color. However, the semi-freestone progeny had significantly softer flesh than their clingstone siblings, although not soft enough to justify reclassification of the flesh texture. No simple genetic model can be proposed for the inheritance of this new phenotype. The semi-freestone, nonmelting germplasm represents a step towards a less perishable, freestone cultivar for the fresh market, as well as an opportunity to study the reason for the rarity of the freestone/nonmelting phenotype among peaches.