Classifying Criteria for Major Fruit Traits in Prunus Persicaand Correlation Analyses Among the Traits

Abstract

To develop classification criteria for major fruit traits of peaches and nectarines ( P. persica[L.] Batsch.), fruits from more than 800 accessions and 700 cultivars were analyzed for several quantitative fruit traits. Each trait was then converted to five categories spanning the range observed for fruit development period, fruit mass, soluble solids content, soluble sugars, titratable acidity, Vitamin C content and the ratio of soluble solids to titratable acidity. Correlations among these traits were also evaluated. Fruit development period was correlated with fruit mass, concentration of soluble solids, soluble sugars, titratable acidity and Vitamin C content. Positive correlations were also found between fruit mass and Vitamin C, soluble solids content and soluble sugars, Vitamin C and the ratio of soluble solids to titratable acidity. These results, obtained from a large number of accessions with different characteristics, measured in multiple locations and multiple years, can effectively provide researchers with practical, universal, valuable information for breeding and cultivation of peaches and nectarines.