Performance of Nectarine Cultivars in Northern Mississippi

Abstract

Twenty-one nectarine cultivars were evaluated for fruit characteristics (flesh color, stone freeness, and skin color), full bloom date, harvest date, and yield. All cultivars tested had yellow flesh color, except ‘Redchief’ and ‘Lafayette,’ which had white flesh. ‘Harko,’ ‘Early Sun Grand’ and ‘Nectared #4’ were semi-freestone and the remaining cultivars were freestone. Skin color ranged from yellow red to bright red. Bloom period for all cultivars occurred in late February through late March, and late spring freezes greatly limited production. Harvest dates ranged from May 22 through July 23. ‘Early King’ was early maturing, followed by ‘Durbin,’ 'Stark Crimson Gold,' and ‘Stark Early Bird.’ Late maturing cultivars were ‘Redchief,’ ‘Garden State,’ ‘Francesco,’ and ‘Stark Redgold.’ Based on yield, the most promising cultivars for northern Mississippi were ‘Harko,’ ‘Redgold,’ ‘Stark Sunglo,’ ‘Hardired,’ and ‘Mericrest.’ Cultivars were not evaluated for susceptibility to disease or insects. However, disease and insect pressure did not seem to limit tree production and performance.