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PEACH CULTIVAR EVALUATION
Evaluate advanced peach selections from the NJAES breeding program and other promising peach
cultivars for adaptation to Northern New Jersey. The sustainability of the peach industry will depend
on the identification and adoption of promising new peach cultivars. Trees are being evaluated for
hardiness, disease resistance and bloom date. The selections are also being evaluated for productivity
and fruit quality.
Fluctuating temperatures throughout the winter of 1998-99 were responsible for extensive fruitlet bud
kill that was variety dependent. A rating was done in the spring of 99 to quantify the bud hardiness of
each cultivar. Some varieties such as Red Fremont and Red Rose scored high marks on fruit quality
assessment but were severely affected by bud kill. NJ 322, Ernie's Choice and NJN 84 are all NJ
selections that were outstanding in 1999. New, advanced selections of peento type peaches in the trial
look promising for specialty retail markets. D34-160 was the best of the advanced peento selections in
1999. Fruit Acres Stellar series and Flamin' Fury series peach cultivars have been evaluated since
1992. Eight selections look outstanding with JF 50, Redstar, Coralstar, PF 1 and PF 15A topping the
fruit quality assessment in 1999. Due to their selection for bud hardiness, fruit bud kill was minimal
with these selections. This project has been funded by NJARS and Snyder Farm local needs grants
and fruit sales.
W. COWGILL, J. COMPTON, M. MALETTA, J. GROFFREDA, T. HAUSAMANN


PEACH NC-140 ROOTSTOCK EVALUATION
Established 1994. One of eight plantings in the north central region established to evaluate new and
improved peach rootstocks for commercial peach production. Nine peach rootstocks with 'Redhaven'
as the scion cultivar are being grown under commercial production system conditions. Information to
be gained includes the influence of the rootstocks on tree survival and disease susceptibility, tree size
control, precocity, productivity, and fruit size and crop value.
Yields of the planting were outstanding in 1999, with an average of over 400 bushel/a being harvested.
There was no tree mortality this year although five trees incurred some degree of trunk split due to
weak crotches and a heavy fruit load. (2) Lovell began to slightly split, (2) Montclair suffered canopy
loss due to moderate trunk splitting and (1) Guardian (GF 305) sustained severe tree damage due to a
massive 3 way split of the trunk. Supported by the NJ Peach council and Snyder Farm Local Needs
grants
W. COWGILL, J. COMPTON, M. MALETTA, R. BELDING


RETAIN PGR APPLICATIONS ON PEACH FOR HARVEST MANAGEMENT AND
FRUIT QUALITY
Experimental Use Permit Demonstration (EUP)
ReTain is a Plant Growth Regulator that is registered in the US for use on apples and pears. The
benefits include harvest management and improved fruit quality. Similar benefits with respect to
harvest management and fruit quality improvements have been observed with its proper use on stone
fruits, such as peaches. This trial was established to evaluate ReTain PGR, with an EUP, for efficacy
on Peaches.
Although a commercial style application, using an airblast, on 'Redhaven' failed to produce any
statistical benefits, an outstanding response was gained on all other cultivars tested. The positive
results gained included a substantial increase of harvest flesh pressure and a delay in harvest maturity
by up to four days.
W. COWGILL, J. COMPTON, T. HAUSAMANN


1999 North Jersey Tree Fruit Annual Report

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