A new cultivar is created
OMAFRA specialist evaluates new cultivars developed by the University
of Guelph
Taking a new cultivar to market typically takes 20-30 years
Step 1 - The Act of Breeding
- The host tree is the female. The pollen donor is the male
- Each parent is chosen on their desired traits
- Peach flowers are "emasculated" (the male parts are removed)
- Pollen is collected
- When the female pistil is receptive, pollen is introduced
- Fruit is harvested 80-120 days later
- Seed inside the pit is extracted and chilled for 120 days
- Seed germinates in a greenhouse
- 18" seedling is planted in a field 1 year after breeding
- Seedling is assigned a temporary number
- In the 3rd season the seedling bears fruit and evaluation begins
Step 2 - Evaluation
Tree Characteristics:
- Growth in the previous year
- Extent of winter injury
- Extent of "peach canker" disease
- Amount of bloom on the tree
The Fruit:
- Size, firmness, freeness from the pit
- Fruit colour, lush, background colour
- Eating quality
- Red pigment in the flesh
- Split pits
- Resistance to disease
- Overall rating
The Peach Crop:
- Amount of crop on the tree
- Uniformity of the crop
- Ripening date
Step 3 - Preparing for Introduction
- OMAFRA establishes trials with growers
- The cultivar goes for virus certification
- Amass a supply of propagation material
- Name the peach
What's in a Peach Name?
"V790632" =
V identifies that it came from Vineland
79 identifies the year (1979) of the cross
06 is the combination of parents
32 means it is the 32nd selection of that cross
V790632 was named "Vulcan" in 1994
