Gengcunyangtao, a new early ripening red-flesh peach cultivar

Abstract: Gengcunyangtao is a new early ripening peach (Prunus persica L.) variety, selected from muitiple red-flesh peach germplasm resources by systematic breeding method. Its ancestors had a long cultivation history in Huzhou with high reputation for red flesh and good quality. However, the planting area of the old varieties has decreased for last two or three decades, and the old red-flesh germplasms have been facing with the danger of extinction. In 2005, a 13-hectare germplasm conservation orchard was set by the local government. From 2006 to 2010, two excellent strains were selected through plant comparison tests. In 2011, an early ripening strain was selected for field trials. The field trials were made at three sites (Wuxing county, Changxing county, Shaoxing county) for 2014 to 2018 for regional adaptability test. It was named Gengcunyangtao and licensed in 2020. The trees of Gengcunyangtao are moderately vigorous and semi-spreading. The flowers are rose shaped with 5 petals. The average fruit weight is 111.1 g. The fruit is near round, asymmetric and freestone. The ground color is green-white with bright red color. The pulp is hard and crispy. After storage, the pulp becomes soft. The flesh is red with high content of anthocyanin (11.73 mg·100 g^-1 ) and high soluble solids content (13.1% ). In Huzhou, the beginning of flowering is in mid-March, full bloom date is March 25th, fruit maturity is late June. The fruit development period is about 90 days. The pollination trees should be provided for cultivation. More perfect quality fruit can be obtained by sheltering in late May or early June. However, bagging 20 days prior to maturity is also a good way to get more charming fruits.