Plants – Fruit – Stone fruit tree
Plant Patent
2002-12-26
2004-01-27
Campell, Bruce R. (Department: 1661)
Plants
Fruit
Stone fruit tree
Plant Patent
active
PP014483
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY
The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of peach (
Prunus persica
(L.) Batsch) tree which is named ‘Gulfking’ and, more particularly to a peach tree which produces an attractive, high percentage red skin, good eating quality fruit which are clingstone, non-melting flesh. The fruit mature for the fresh market in early May at Attapulgus, Ga. on a tree adapted to a mid-chill winter climate. Contrast is made to ‘Flordaking’ (nonpatented) peach tree, a standard variety, for reliable description. This new variety is a promising candidate for commercial success in that it retains fruit firmness at the full flavor, tree ripe stage for 7 to 10 days on the tree.
ORGIN OF THE VARIETY
‘Gulfking’ peach tree (genotype) originated in a cultivated area of the fruit breeding program located at Attapulgus. The seed parent was BY87P285 (nonpatented), a non-melting flesh peach and the pollen parent was ‘UFGold’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,315). BY87P285 originated from a hybrid of ‘Sunprince’ (nonpatented) and L78-8-14 (nonpatented). L78-8-14 originated from a hybrid of ‘Harvester’ (nonpatented)בMajestic’ (nonpatented). ‘Gulfking’ peach tree was selected in 1998, and was designated AP 98-4. It was propagated by budding on ‘Flordaguard’ (nonpatented) and ‘Nemared’ (nonpatented) seedling rootstock (for root-knot nematode control) and determined at Attapulgus to have unique tree and fruit characteristics making it worthy for commercial fresh fruit production. There are no known effects of either rootstock on this scion cultivar. Asexually propagated plants remained true to the original tree as all characteristics of the tree and the fruit were transmitted.
SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY
‘Gulfking’ peach tree is a new and distinct variety that bears yellow, non-melting flesh fruit, and has a moderate-chilling dormancy requirement. It blooms with ‘Flordaking’ peach tree at Attapulgus, bearing red skin and yellow flesh fruit. The estimated chilling requirement is 350 chill units.
The present invention resulting in ‘Gulfking’ peach tree is characterized by non-melting flesh fruit of excellent flavor and eating quality on a tree adapted to mild winters. The trees are vigorous, productive and without alternate bearing. Trees attain in two years, a height of three meters and a spread of two meters at Attapulgus. Terminal growth of up to a meter annually is common on mature 4-year-old trees with normal pruning to a vase shape. The first fruit ripen in early May at Attapulgus or in about 75 days from full bloom which the same time as ‘Flordaking’ peach tree. The fruit are uniform in size and moderately large for an early peach averaging 120 g or about 2⅜ inches in diameter. Ripe fruit have 80 to 90% red skin with moderately fine darker red stripes from the tip to the shoulder. There is no red in flesh at the pit, but fruit have some red pigment flecks in the outer flesh on the sun exposed side of the fruit. The flower petals are pink and showy. The anthers are light red.
Beckman Thomas G.
Krewer Gerard W.
Sherman Wayne B.
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