‘White Diamond’ and ‘White Cloud’ Peaches

Abstract

‘White Diamond’ and ‘White Cloud’ are the fourth and fifth white-fleshed peach releases from the University of Arkansas peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] breeding program. Prior releases include ‘White River’ (2002) (Clark and Moore, 2003) and ‘White Rock’ and ‘White County’ (2004) (Clark et al., 2005). The program began in the 1960s (Clark et al., 1999) and included an objective to develop adapted white-fleshed peach cultivars for on-farm, local, and shipping sales. This group of cultivars provides for 6 to 7 weeks of adapted white peaches for Arkansas growers and other producers in similar climates. ‘White Diamond’ is a late-season maturity freestone with very firm flesh that softens when fully ripe and is low acid in flavor. ‘White Cloud’ is an early, midseason clingstone with non-melting flesh like that found in processing cling peaches. It has a standard acid flavor. These cultivars have good to very good resistance to bacterial spot [caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. pruni (Smith) Dye] and should provide high-quality options for growers in areas where bacterial spot disease is a concern. These cultivars also expand options for growers in the midto the upper southern United States and other areas of the world with similar climatic conditions.