Breeding report on a high-quality mid-ripening peach cultivar Qiyuefei

Abstract: Feicheng peach is a famous traditional peach cultivar in China, with a cultivation history of more than 1100 years. Due to the requirement of pollination specificity, Feicheng peach often does not bear fruits when the exogenous pollens are used during crossing pollination. In order to increase the diversity of Feicheng peach varieties and improve the fruit quality, a long- term breeding program has been carried out. Qiyuefei is a new high-quality mid-ripening peach cultivar derived from the seeds of Bailifeitao pollinated with the mixed pollens of Zhonghuashoutao and Chuanzhongdao in 2011. Qiyuefei was first selected in 2015 for its early ripening, large fruit, good taste and distinct aroma like Feicheng peach. The regional field trails were conducted in the peach production areas of Feicheng county, Mengyin county and Zoucheng county in Shandong Province from 2016 to 2020. The tree of Qiyuefei is moderately vigorous with open gesture. The annual branch is red-brown on the sunward side and green on the back side. The nectary of leaf is kidney-shaped. The margin of leaf is obtuse serrate. The flower buds are conical in shape. The flower is pink and rose- shaped with fertile pollens. The fruit is large with an average weight of 329.3 g, and its shape is nearly round with two nearly symmetrical halves. The fruit tip is obvious with deep cavity and the suture line. The background color of fruit is creamy yellow, and there is no red pigment on the surface of the fruit. The fruit is not easy to peel. The flesh is white. The soluble solids content is 14.5%. The stone is cling. The date of bud burst is midMarch, and the blooming date is early April. The fruit ripens in the end of July in Taian, Shandong Province, much earlier than that of its parents. The fruit development period of Qiyuefei is nearly 110 days. The date of leaf fall is mid-November, and its full growth period is nearly 230 days. All kinds of fruitbranches can bear fruits, and the medium and short fruit branches are dominant. The yield of 5-year-old tree is up to 2 195.4 kg per 666.7 m2 . Qiyuefei passed the examination and approval of Shandong Forest and Grass Variety Committee in February 2022. It is suitable to plant in Shandong Province and its surrounding peach producing areas. The fertile land with good drainage is needed for growing Qiyuefei. The Y- shaped of the tree form is recommended in the plain area, with spacing of 2 m× (4-5) m. The open heart-shaped tree form with three main branches is recommended in the hilly or mountainous area, with spacing of 3 m×4 m or 4 m×5 m. Qiyuefei has good resistance to stresses and good adaptability.