Developed by Dr. Joe Goffreda, Rutgers Univ., NJ. Plant Patent #19273 awarded on Sept. 30, 2008.
Cultivar name: `NJF18`.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of peach tree named `NJF18`. Our new tree resulted from crossing `H15-20-90258` (unpatented) as the seed parent with `A34-160-782118` (unpatented) as the pollen parent. The new variety differs from seed parent `H15-20-90258` (unpatented) in that the new variety has flat fruit while the seed parent has round fruit. The new variety differs from pollen parent A34-160-782118' (unpatented) in that the new variety has pubescent fruit while the pollen parent has glabrous fruit. The resulting tree was selected when growing in a cultivated area as the 72nd tree in the 10th row of Block L at the Rutgers Fruit Research and Extension Center in Cream Ridge, N.J.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The `NJF18` variety is distinguished from other peach varieties due to the following unique combination of characteristics: Flat fruit shape. Fruit with mottled red over color on an attractive orange ground color. Good productivity of large fruit.Sweet, mild flavor. Melting flesh texture. Very firm fruit that retain their firmness well.
The variety was asexually reproduced at the Rutgers Fruit Research and Extension Center in Cream Ridge, N.J. Asexual reproduction of this new variety by budding onto `Lovell` rootstock (unpatented) for several generations shows that the foregoing characteristics are so reproduced.
The following detailed description concerns the original tree, `NJF18`. The original tree and asexual progeny have been observed growing in a cultivated area in Cream Ridge, N.J. Certain characteristics of this variety, such as growth and color, may change with changing environmental conditions (such as, light, temperature, moisture, nutrient availability) or other favors. Color descriptions and other terminology are used in accordance with their ordinary dictionary descriptions, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Color designations are made with reference to The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart.
Key
Evaluations are based on a 1-8 scale (6=OK,7=Commercially acceptable, 8=Excellent)
Size is in inches
Shape: round is assumed, T=tip, P=point, S=suture, OB=oblate, OV=ovate
Pubescence: 10=nectarine
Blush: presented as percentage of ground color cover with red or similar
Freeness: 3=early cling, 8=completely free
Status: 0=discard, 1=keep
Notes: SOS=soft on suture, SOT=soft on tip, RIF=red in flesh, GAS=green around stem
RAP=red around pit, GGC=green ground color, sz=size, wh=white, yt=young tree, CCT=concave tip
Bloom date is when approx. 90% of blooms are open (full bloom)
The description of each variety of peach or nectarine fruit under each group is in different formats as this information is collected from varied sources and hence is not consistent
