CLINGSTONE PEACH TRIALS IN ROMANIA

In the last 20 years over 100 genotypes, hybrids, and clonal selections of clingstone peach (Prunus persica L.) from various countries, were evaluated at the Fruits Research Station Constanţa. Four foreign-originated clingstone cultivars have been authorized for propagation in Romania in the last years. Three of them are of American origin (‘NJC 108’, ‘Loring’, and ‘Veteran’) and one is Italian (‘Vesuvio’). Two Romanian cultivars (‘Catherine Sel. 1’ and ‘Purpuriu’), were registered in 2001 and 2002. ‘Catherine Sel. 1’ was obtained by self-pollination of ‘Catherine’ followed by severe selection and ‘Purpuriu’ a release from our Research Station, was obtained by hybridization (NJ 238 x VT-R₁P₄₃). These cultivars produce high-quality fruit with an orange pulp and 11.9°–12.5° Brix and acidity between 0.55–0.73 g malic acid/100 g fruit pulp. Average fruit mass ranged between 135-200 g. Fruit taste is very good and its flavor intensifies when cooked. The yield of these cultivars is high (33.0–45.0 kg/tree) and constant every year. The recommended genotypes are appropriate for industrial use and direct consumption. High bruising resistance make them adaptable to transport and storage. For the future, our program of clingstone breeding has as main objective the creation and selection of new genotypes with high-quality fruits and various ripening periods in order to expand and widen the present assortment which ranges over about 100 days.

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