Breeding report of a new dual-purpose peach cultivar, Yingxiang, ideal for both ornamental purposes and fruit consumption

The new dual- purpose peach cultivar, Yingxiang, ideal for both ornamental purposes and fruit consumption was selected from superior wild trees through multiple generations of grafting propagation, cultivation observation, trait evaluation, and DUS test. In March 2015, a unique plant was found in the wild peach population in Muchuan County, Leshan Municipality. This plant had the characteristics of bright red color, double petal, and long flowering period, and the subsequent observation showed that it has high fruit set and good fruit taste. In January 2017, it was propagated by grafting using wild peach as rootstock in Jintang County, Chengdu Municipality, and its flowering characteristics, fruit bearing characteristics and resistance were continuously observed and recorded. From 2018 to 2021, with the first generation of grafted plants as a source, the clones were propagated continuously for multiple generations, and a test nursery was established to observe related traits. The results showed that the botanical characteristics, biological characteristics and excellent traits including bright flowers, double petals, long flowering period, large fruit size and sweet taste could be stably inherited. In September 2023, it was certified as a new cultivar by the National Forestry and Grassland Administration. This cultivar has moderate vigor and an open canopy. The flower bud is medium dense, with an average bud spacing of 2.1 cm. The flower is similar to plum flower and has 24 petals in average, which are red double petals in broad oval shape. The flower usually has one pistil with red style and light yellow stigma. Stamens has a red filament and an orange-red anthor. The average fruit weight is 210 g, with a round sticky core, pink peel, medium fuzz on the surface, and the flesh is medium firm to soft from mature to fully ripe. In the mountainous and hilly areas around Sichuan Basin, the flowering period is from early March to early April, the fruit ripens at the end of July, and the leaves begin to drop in mid-October. It is moderately resistant to drought and cold. The fruit has a medium storage-life with a cold storage life about 10 days, and is suitable for fresh consumption. This cultivar possesses gorgeous flowers, long flowering period and sweet taste, and can be cultivated for ornamental purpose and for fruit in the mountainous and hilly areas with cooling hours above 600 around Sichuan Basin. It is mainly propagated by grafting. The optimal grafting time is early February, with 1- year- old solid peach seedlings as rootstock. The plants can be transplanted after leaf drop in autumn in the same year. The plants can flower in the second year after grafting, but it is not recommend to allow the plantlet to bear fruit. Field management practices are similar to those for ordinary peach trees, with key aspects including planting density, irrigation, fertilization, and weed control. The pest control is usually carried out using a combination of physical and chemical methods.