Post-harvest Characteristics of Five New Peach and Nectarine Varieties
Applied Research
Hemant Gohil
Agriculture and Natural Resource Agent
Rutgers Cooperative Extension
Clarksboro
Abstract
Five new peach and nectarine varieties were released in 2018 from the Rutgers tree fruit breeding program. To understand how best to select and market these varieties growers need to better understand the characteristics of their fruit. The objective of this study was to (1) estimate fruit qualities, both chemical and physical at harvest, that determine much of the value of peaches and (2) evaluate three varieties for their fruit firmness during cold storage. Varieties were evaluated in the field for flesh color, crop load, shape, skin color, fuzz, attractiveness, stone characteristics (free, semi-free, or cling), flesh color, and bacterial spot on fruits and leaves. Fruits were harvested based on ground color change and size and then stored in cold storage at the research station, in conventional cold storage (33°F, 95% RH). Fruit data characteristics were measured as, firmness (lb.), diameter (inches), mass (grams) juice total soluble solids (TSS) concentration (°Brix), pH, and total titratable acidity (TTA) (%). Total 483 growers in the Mid-Atlantic and Mid-Eastern region were educated on, characteristics of five new peach verities and how-to optimize fruit harvesting and storage. This information was also published in the trade magazine Good Fruit Grower (~16,000 circulations).
Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC
This poster is being submitted for judging. It will be displayed at the AM/PIC if not selected as a State winner. The abstract will be published in the proceedings.
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Authors: Hemant Gohil, Daniel Ward
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Gohil, H. Agriculture and Natural Resource Agent, Rutgers Cooperative Extension, New Jersey, 08020
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Ward, D. Extension Specialist, Rutgers NJAES, New Jersey, 08302