Yellow nectarine tree named ‘NECTALOLA’

Abstract

A new and distinct variety of yellow nectarine tree denominated NECTALOLA which has fruits with high eating quality and very long shelf life without alteration before and after harvesting, with a semi-sweet orange yellow flesh at maturity time, and a red pigmentation into and around the stone cavity, and an attractive skin with a very high percentage of luminous purple red blush on skin surface, on a red background.

Claims

1. A new and distinct variety of yellow nectarine tree named NECTALOLA as illustrated and described, characterized by fruits with high eating quality and very long shelf life without alteration before and after harvesting, with a semi-sweet orange yellow flesh at maturity time, and a red pigmentation into and around the stone cavity, and an attractive skin with a very high percentage of luminous purple red blush on skin surface, on a red background.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In the accompanying drawing, which are as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make in a color illustration of this type:

(2) FIG. 1 is a color photograph showing trees of the new variety NECTALOLA in orchard, bearing fruits.

(3) FIG. 2 is another color photograph showing trees of the new variety NECTALOLA in orchard, bearing fruits.

(4) FIG. 3 is a color photograph which depicts the flower buds at different development stages, and the reverse and side views of the flower and the reproductive organs with petals removed, of the new variety NECTALOLA also named 23.09.148.15 NJ or ASF1806 as indicated in FIG. 3.

(5) FIG. 4 is a color photograph which shows the upper and lower sides of leaves and different views of three typical specimens of the fruit of the new variety NECTALOLA also named 23.09.148.15 NJ or NECTALOLA cov or ASF1806 at ripening time, one fruit having been cut in half with the pit being left in one of the halves for depicting leaves, fruit flesh, pit and pit cavity of the new variety.

(6) FIG. 5 is a color photograph showing a close-up view of three typical specimens of the fruit of the new variety NECTALOLA, at maturity, one of the fruits having been cut in half, only one of the halves being shown in FIG. 5.

(7) FIG. 6 is a color photograph showing different views of the stone of the new variety NECTALOLA also named 23.09.148.15 NJ or NECTALOLA cov or ASF1806 as shown on the photograph, and the kernel of the stone.

(8) The views of trees, flowers, leaves and fruits have been photographed in their fourth growing season (third year of production).

(9) Due to chemical development, processing and printing, the flowers, stones and fruits depicted in these photographs may or may not be accurate when compared to the actual botanical specimen.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

(10) The trees, flowers, and fruits may vary in slight detail due to variations in soil type, cultural practices, and climatic condition. The potential for commercial production of fresh fruits by NECTALOLA is high, due to fruit very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting.

(11) Trees are medium to strong vigorous and large stature half-standing in a semi-flared out aspect. The anthocyanic coloration of flowering shoot is present excluding brushwood side away from sun. The time of beginning of flowering is considered medium; flowering starts during the last three weeks of February. The type of flower is showy (rosette) with medium petal size. Petals are pink. Leaf glands are present and round. The fruit flesh is yellow orange at complete maturity. The fruit flesh usually shows a red pigmentation into the stone cavity and radiating around the stone cavity in a star shape. The fruit skin is medium thick, with a luminous purple red blush on a red background. The stone is semi-clingstone and its size is medium. Fruit taste is semi-sweet, aromatic and with a high level of sugars.

(12) Compared to NECTARIANE yellow nectarine variety (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,707), the fruits of NECTALOLA usually ripen a few days earlier than the fruits of NECTARIANE. The fruits of the new variety NECTALOLA are more regular in shape, with a nice round shape, compared to the fruits of the similar variety NECTARIANE. Moreover, the fruit size of NECTALOLA is higher than the fruits size of NECTARIANE, typically size 2A for the new variety and size A or 2A for the similar variety NECTARIANE. The fruit skin of the new variety NECTALOLA is darker and with a more uniform colouring.

(13) The fruit flesh of the new variety NECTALOLA is semi-sweet, sugary and aromatic, with higher tasting qualities in comparison with the fruit flesh of the similar variety NECTARIANE. The Brix for the new variety NECTALOLA is around 15.5, which is higher than the Brix of the similar variety NECTARIANE, typically 14.5.

(14) Compared to its seed or female parent, i.e., the NECTARRELIE (not patented) variety, the new variety NECTALOLA ripens usually approximately three weeks later. The flowering period of the new variety NECTALOLA is also later than the flowering period of the parent variety NECTARRELIE, by around two weeks. It should also be noted that the new NECTALOLA variety corresponds to a yellow nectarine variety, whereas the fruits of the parent variety NECTARRELIE have a white flesh.

(15) Compared to its pollen or male parent, i.e., the CAKESEPTEMBER (not patented) variety, the new variety NECTALOLA ripens usually approximately five weeks earlier. However, the flowering period of the new variety NECTALOLA is later than the flowering period of the parent variety CAKESEPTEMBER, by around two weeks. It should also be noted that the new NECTALOLA variety corresponds to a yellow nectarine variety, whereas the CAKESEPTEMBER variety corresponds to a white flat nectarine.

(16) The new NECTALOLA variety is thus distinguished from its progenitors by its subspecies, flowering dates and ripening dates.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(17) Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new and distinct variety of yellow nectarine tree, the following was observed on trees in their fourth growing season (third year of production), except for the observations on flower which were done in the third growing season, under the ecological conditions prevailing at the orchards located near the town of Elne, Pyr?n?es-orientales departement, France. All observations have been done on rootstock cultivars. Used rootstocks were INRA? GF677 (non-patented) trees. All major color code designations are by reference to The R.H.S. Colour Chart (Fourth Edition) provided by The Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain.

TREE

(18) Size: Generally.Considered large. The tree size the first year was approximately 200 to 280 cm in height. The tree was pruned during each following dormant season to a height of approximately 250 cm. Current season shoots growth could reach 80 cm in length. The tree size from the second year (second and next years) reached a final height of 330 cm including current season shoots length. The tree size is consistently reduced to 250 cm the next years. Spread: Approximately 100 cm with a cylindrical shape. The whole orchard was oriented to a central leader organization, with tree lines spaced of 4.0 meters and trees spaced of 1.0 meter in a same tree line. As a result, tree spread was about 100 cm and the orchard contained 2500 trees by hectare. Vigor: Considered medium to strong. Productivity: Considered good to very good, and very regular. Fruit set is spaced by thinning to develop the remaining fruit into the desired market sized fruit. The number of the fruit set varies with the prevailing climatic conditions and cultural practices employed during the bloom period and is therefore not distinctive of the present variety. A reduce vegetation, obtained with pruning or green pruning, approximately 1 month or 1 month ? before harvesting fruits, significantly promotes fruit qualities, especially growth, color and firmness. Moreover, contamination risks due to monilia or rot are significantly reduced. NECTALOLA variety is not much sensitive to cracking of pistil cavity, to cork formation into peduncle cavity or to monilia. Bearer: Very regular. The fruit distribution is considered homogenous on mixed branches and spurs having more than 1 year. Thinning of 2 fruits out of 3 was necessary for the tree valorisation. Thinning was necessary every year during the years of observation. Form: The NECTALOLA variety has naturally a semi-flared shape. Density: Considered dense. Tree branching: Medium to strong. Hardiness: Hardy in all stone fruit growing areas of France and especially where the chilling requirement is between 700 and 1200 hours. More particularly, experimentations on the same orchard in Elne, Pyr?n?es-Orientales department, with winter chilling requirement below 7.2? C. comprised between 700 hours and 1200 hours according to the specificities of the year, namely 1031 hours in 2012-2013, 777 hours in 2013-2014, 893 hours in 2014-2015, 718 hours in 2015-2016, 825 hours in 2016-2017, 1017 hours in 2017-2018, 844 hours in 2018-2019, 706 hours in 2019-2020, 822 hours in 2020-2021, 700 hours in 2021-2022 and 919 hours in 2022-2023 showed a good behavior of the tree in all cases. No injury with temperatures as low as ?12? C. in winter. Good resistance to late frosts.

TRUNK

(19) Diameter: Approximately 48.0 to 52.0 millimeters in diameter when measured at a distance of approximately 20.0 centimeters above the soil level for trees on fourth leaf (or third year of production). Bark texture: Considered rough, with lenticels. Lenticels: Numerous lenticels are present. The number of lenticels reaches 1.5 lenticels per cm.sup.2. The lenticels range in size of approximately 3.0 to 5.0 millimeters in width, and about 1.0 to 1.5 millimeters in height. Lenticel color: The lenticels show a beige color (RHS Greyed Orange N167 C). Bark coloration: The bark has a brown to grey color (RHS Grey 201 B or RHS Grey 201 C) darker than the lenticels color.

BRANCHES

(20) Size: The branches are pruned to approximately 1.0 meter in length. Diameter: Average as compared to other nectarine varieties. The current season shoots have a diameter of approximately 3.0 to 4.0 millimeters, and mature branches have a diameter of approximately 7.0 to 9.0 millimeters. Surface texture: Smooth, despite the presence of small lenticels, for current season shoots and rough, with lenticels, for mature branches, wood which is several years old has furrowed appearance. Crotch angles: Primary branches are considered variable, but the crotch angles are generally 45 degrees from the horizontal axis for current season shoots and 65? degrees from the horizontal axis for two year's old branches. This particular characteristic is not considered distinctive of the variety, however. Current season shoots: Internode length: Generally 17.0 to 20.0 millimeters. Color.The color of new shoot tips is considered green (RHS Yellow Green 145 A) on lower part of new shoot tips, whereas the upper part is darker and colored in purple (RHS Greyed Red 178 A or RHS Greyed Red 178 B), depending on the level on the tip and the sunlight exposure. Mature branches: Internode length: Generally 18.0 to 24.0 millimeters. Color of mature branches: Brown (RHS Grey Brown N 199 C). Lenticels: Lenticels are present on mature branches. The number of lenticels reaches 1 lenticel per cm.sup.2. The size of lenticels is considered small on one year's old shoots and small on two-year-old shoots. The lenticel shape is round with a diameter of approximately 1.0 millimeter on one-year-old shoots and stretched round with a diameter of 1.0 to 1.5 millimeters on two-year-old shoots. The lenticel may have a height of 1.0 millimeter and a width between 1.5 to 3.0 millimeters. Lenticel color: The lenticels have a beige color (RHS Greyed Orange N167 C).

LEAVES

(21) Time of beginning of leaf bud burst: Considered medium. Size: Considered medium for the species. The ratio leaf length/leaf width is 3.926. Leaf length: The medium length is about 159.0 millimeters with leaf petiole. Leaf width: The medium width is 40.5 millimeters. Leaf form (in cross section): Concave. Leaf form: Lanceolate. Leaf base shape: Acute. Leaf tip form: Acute. Leaf thickness: Medium. Leaf color: Upper leaf surface.Yellow Green (RHS Yellow Green 147 A). Lower surface.A slightly lighter green (RHS Yellow Green 146 A) than the upper leaf surface color. Leaf texture: Smooth and glabrous on both upper and lower surfaces of the leaf. Leaf venation: Pinnately veined. Mid-vein: Color.Light green (RHS Yellow Green 144 C). Width.Approximately 1.5 millimeters. Secondary veins: Color.Light green to light yellow (RHS Yellow Green 150 D). Leaf margins: Slightly undulating. Form: Considered crenate. Uniformity: Leaves are isolated or grouped by 2 or 3. In this last case, one leaf of normal size is found with one or two smaller leaves (at least 50% smaller). Leaf petioles: Size.Considered medium. Length.About 11.0 to about 14.0 millimeters. Diameter.About 1.5 to 1.8 millimeters. Shape.Grooved. Petiole color: Upper petiole surface.Green (RHS Yellow Green N144 A or RHS Yellow Green N144 B). Lower surface.A slightly lighter green (RHS Yellow Green 150 C or RHS Yellow Green 154 C) than the upper petiole surface color. Leaf glands: Size.Considered medium. Their length is about 1.0 millimeter and their width is about 1.0 millimeter. Number.Generally 2 or 3 glands per leaf. The number of leaf glands can reach four. Type.Round. Margins.Smooth and regular. Position.Alternate on the upper part of petiole. Color.On young leaves, leaf glands color is considered green (RHS Yellow Green 145 A). On older leaves, leaf glands color turns to a brown (RHS Brown 200 A or RHS Brown 200 B) color. Leaf stipules: Generally.No leaf stipules were observed. But as seen in the characteristic relative to the leaves uniformity, it is possible to find leaves by groups of 2 or 3, with a normal-size leaf and smaller ones.

FLOWERS

(22) Flower buds: Generally.At pre-floral stage of development, the floral buds are round in shape. Their form is evolving until blooming, with variable dimensions. Just before blooming, floral buds are approximately 8.0 to 9.0 millimeters wide and approximately 11.0 to 13.0 millimeters long. The floral buds show a homogenous distribution on the trees. Color.This characteristic is dependent upon the proximity to bloom. At pre-floral stage of development, the bottom of the flower's buds, or calyx, or flower receptacle, is of purple color (RHS Greyed Purple 187 A) on its outer face. The inner face of the flower receptacle is greenish to slightly orange (RHS Yellow Green 153 B or RHS Yellow Green 153 C). The corolla, formed by the petals, is generally of dark pink color (RHS Red Purple 63 B) on both faces. Petals color shows an evolution until the end of flowering. Hardiness: The buds are considered hardy under typical central Pyr?n?es-Orientales departement climatic conditions. No winter injury was noted during the last several years of evaluation in the central Pyr?n?es-Orientales departement, with winter temperatures as low as 10 degrees Celsius in January. The current variety has not been intentionally subjected to drought or heat stress, but the variety showed a very good resistance in orchard to temperatures up to 42 degrees Celsius with an average temperature between 28 and 30 degrees Celsius during 3 weeks in summer. Date of bloom: The blooming time generally begins in February. The first bloom was observed on Feb. 22, 2020. Blooming time: Considered medium in relative comparison to other commercial nectarine cultivars grown in the Pyr?n?es-Orientales departement, France. The date of full bloom is observed generally at the middle of the blooming period. The date of bloom varies slightly with climatic conditions and cultural practices. Thus, the full bloom was observed in 2020, from February 22.sup.nd to March 4.sup.th, then February 25.sup.th until March 7.sup.th in 2021, and then from Feb. 10 to Feb. 19, 2022. Duration of bloom: Medium, approximately between 10 to 12 days. This characteristic varies slightly with the prevailing climatic conditions. Flower type: The variety is considered to have a showy (or rosette) type of flower. Flower size: Considered medium. Flower diameter at full bloom is approximately 26.0 to 31.0 millimeters. Bloom quantity: Considered high, approximately 35 to 40 flowers per meter, with a high rate of fruit set. Flower bud frequency: Generally 2 flower buds appear per node, occasionally 1. Petal size: Generally.Considered medium. Length: Generally between 18.0 and 19.0 millimeters. Width: Generally between 15.0 and 16.0 millimeters. Petal form: Round-shaped. Petal count: Sometimes more than five. Petal arrangement: Overlapping. Petal texture: Smooth on both upper and lower surfaces of the petal. Petal color: At the stage F of blooming, when the flower is fully opened, both surfaces of the petal are colored with a pink (RHS Red Purple 65 B or RHS Red Purple 65 C) color. Fragrance: Moderate, floral fragrance. Petal claw: Form.The claw is considered to have a narrow form. Length.About 1.0 millimeter. Width.About 1.0 millimeter at the base. Color.The petal claw usually shows a pink color darker than the petal color (RHS Red Purple 58 A). Petal margins: Generally considered slightly undulating. Petal apex: Generally.The petal apices are generally shaped as a wide dome. Flower pedicel: Length.Considered medium and having an average length of approximately 2.0 to 3.0 millimeters. Diameter.Considered average, approximately 1.5 to 2.0 millimeters. Color.Green (RHS Yellow Green N144 D or RHS Yellow Green 145 A). Calyx: Internal surface texture.Smooth. Color.At the stage F of blooming, when the flower is opened, the inner surface of the calyx, namely the flower receptacle, is orange (RHS Orange N25 B). The outer surface of the calyx is considered of purple color (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A). Sepals: Sepal count: Usually 5 sepals, sometimes 6. Surface texture.The outer surface has a short, fine pubescent texture. Margins.Smooth. Size.Medium. Length.Approximately 5.0 to 6.0 millimeters. Width.Approximately 4.0 to 5.0 millimeters. Form.Conic and round at the top. Color.The upper surface of the sepals shows a purple color (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A) whereas the lower surface of sepals is considered green (RHS Yellow Green 144 A). Anthers: Generally.Small in length, approximately 1 millimeter. Shape.Reniform. Color.Depending on the maturity stage, anthers are colored with a red (RHS Orange Red N34 A) to a yellow color (RHS Yellow 12 A). Pollen production: Pollen is abundant and has a yellow color (RHS Yellow 13 B) which may evolve with maturity. The present variety is considered auto-fertile (self-pollinating). Pistil: Number.Usually 1. Generally.Average in size. Length.Approximately 17.0 to 18.0 millimeters including the ovary. Generally equal or higher to stamen in length, when considered without the ovary. Color.Considered light green (RHS Yellow Green 150 B or RHS Yellow Green 150 C) at the beginning of blooming period. Position.The pistil is positioned below the stamens. Ovary: Height.Approximately 1.0 millimeter. Diameter.Approximately 1.0 millimeter. Color.Green (RHS Yellow Green N144 A). Pubescence.Absent. Stamens: Size compared to petals.The size of stamen is smaller than the size of petals. Length.Approximately 14.0 to 17.0 millimeters, usually equal to or smaller than the pistil length. Color.White (RHS White N155 C) to pink (RHS Red Purple 62 B or RHS Red Purple 62 C) depending on the maturity stage. Average number of stamens per flower: Approximately 36 to 42 stamens per flower. Stigma: Diameter.Approximately 1.0 millimeter. Color.Greenish to yellow (RHS Yellow Green 153 B or RHS Yellow Green 153 C). Shape.Round, slightly stretched. Position of the stigma compared to the anthers.Below.

FRUIT

(23) Maturity when described: Firm in ripe conditions (shipping ripe). Date of first picking: Jul. 21, 2017. Date of last picking: The date of harvest varies slightly with the prevailing climatic conditions. The NECTALOLA variety has a mid-season date of picking, and a grouped maturity. The maturity is grouped within 9 or 10 days and the harvest is generally performed in two runs. Last known picking times carry on from Jul. 21, 2017 to Jul. 30, 2017, from Jul. 18 to Jul. 27, 2018, from Jul. 27 to Aug. 4, 2019, from Jul. 8 to Jul. 16, 2020, from Jul. 11 to Jul. 19, 2021, and from Jul. 9 to Jul. 17 in 2022. Size: Generally.Uniform and regular in size, size 2A. Considered large. Average cheek diameter: Approximately 66.0 to 68.0 millimeters. Average axial diameter: Approximately 62.0 to 64.0 millimeters. Typical weight: Approximately 160.0 grams. This characteristic is high dependent upon the prevailing cultural practices, and therefore is not particularly distinctive of the variety. Fruit form: Generally.Round, regular and symmetrical. The fruit is generally uniform in symmetry, viewed from the suture's plane. Suture: Fruit suture: The suture is usually wide-mouthed and slightly marked when present, extending from the base to the apex and uniform. No apparent callousing or stitching exists along the suture line. Not pointed. Color.Luminous purple red (RHS Greyed Purple 187 A). Ventral surface: Form.Smooth. Apex: Slightly depressed. Mucron.Absent. Closing of the pistil cavity.Very good. The pistil cavity is not visible. Stem cavity: Average depth of the stem cavity is considered medium, about 12.0 to 14.0 millimeters. Average width is between 19.0 and 20.0 millimeters, and the stem cavity is flared. Fruit skin: Thickness.Considered medium and strong, and the skin adherence to flesh is medium. Texture.The pubescence of the skin is absent. The fruit skin is smooth and glabrous. Taste.Semi-sweet. Tendency to crack.None observed. Color: Blush color.This blush color is a luminous purple red (RHS Greyed Purple 187 A). The purple red blush covers approximately 90 to 95% of the fruit skin surface on a red background (RHS Orange Red N34 A) on approximately 5 to 10% of the fruit skin surface. The percentage of the blush on the fruit skin surface can vary and is generally dependent upon the prevailing conditions under which the fruit was grown. The pattern of over color of skin is a solid flush. Ground color.The ground color covers approximately 5 to10% of the fruit skin surface, and is considered red (RHS Orange Red N34 A). Lenticels.A few lenticels are present and located around the pistil cavity. Approximately 2 lenticels are present per cm.sup.2. Shape.Lenticels on fruit skin are round. Diameter.Approximately 1.0 millimeter. Color.Lenticels on fruit skin are considered light beige (RHS Greyed Orange 161 D). Fruit stem: Short in length, approximately 9.0 to 11.0 millimeters in length. The fruit stem is thick and strong with no tearing or detachment. Diameter: Approximately 4.0 to 5.0 millimeters. Color: Pale green (RHS Yellow Green 145 A). Flesh: Ripens.Very homogenously, slowly. The flesh has a long shelf life and a grouped maturity. Texture.Firm to very firm , crunchy, melting, at harvest maturity stage. Fibers.Not fibrous. Aroma.Considered present and pronounced, with no further characterization. Eating quality.Considered very good, sugary and aromatic. Flavor.Considered semi-sweet. The Brix is generally superior to 15, with values between 14.4 and 16.8, and an average value at 15.5, and acidity is low. Juice.Juicy at complete maturity. The juice is usually colourless or slightly cream color (RHS NN155 D). Brix.The medium Brix is 15.5 degrees. This characteristic varies slightly with the number of fruits per tree, prevailing cultural practices and the surrounding climatic conditions. Flesh color.The flesh is considered yellow orange (RHS Yellow Orange 15 B or RHS Yellow Orange 15C), usually with a red pigmentation (RHS Red 47 A) into the stone cavity and radiating around the stone cavity in a star shape. Red coloration of flesh next to skin.Absent.

STONE

(24) Type: Semi-Clingstone, more or less semi-adherent depending on the fruit maturity. Size: Considered medium for the variety. The stone size varies significantly depending upon the tree vigor, crop load and prevailing growing conditions. Length: Approximately 30.0 to 31.0 millimeters. Width: Approximately 20.0 to 21.0 millimeters. Diameter: Approximately 16.0 to 18.0 millimeters. Form: Obovate. Base: Straight. Apex: Shape.The stone apex is short and pointed. Shape of stem tip.Ovate. Stone cavity: Considered medium in size, with obovate form similar to the form of the stone and dimensions corresponding to the stone's dimensions (approximately 30.0 to 31.0 millimeters in length, 20.0 to 21.0 millimeters in width and 16.0 to 18.0 millimeters in diameter). Stone surface: Surface texture.The pit is transversely furrowed on its entire surface. Furrows are deeper and more oblate on lateral sides. Ridges.The surface texture is generally characterized by more prominent ridges along the ventral edges and at the apical tip. Ventral edge: Width.Narrow. Approximately 1.0 millimeter at mid-suture. Dorsal edge: Shape.Grooved. Stone color: The color of the dry stone is generally considered brown (RHS Greyed Orange 164 B or RHS Greyed Orange 164 C). Tendency to split: Splitting is absent. Kernel: Size.The kernel is considered medium. Length.Approximately 15.0 to 16.0 millimeters. Width.Approximately 9.0 to 10.0 millimeters. Thickness.Approximately 4.5 to 5.0 millimeters. Form.Considered elliptical. Pellicle.The pellicle of the kernel is smooth. Color.The kernel skin is brown colored (RHS Greyed Orange N167 A). The almond, which is the seed of the kernel, is white (RHS White 155 D) and has a sweet taste. The kernel and its embryo are mature at the time of fruit maturity. Use: The subject variety NECTALOLA is considered to be a yellow nectarine tree having a medium season of maturity, and which produces fruits that are considered firm, attractively colored with a luminous purple red. Fruits have semi-sweet taste and are excellent for uncooked consumption, crunchy or melting when at full maturity. Fruits have excellent gustative qualities. Due to their flesh quality, firmness and density, they can also be commercialized as 4.sup.th range product (packed fruit or fruit in bags for example). And they are also useful for both local and very long-distance shipping. Keeping quality: Remarkable. Fruits have a slow maturation and a long shelf life both on the tree after growth completion and after harvesting without alteration. After growth completion, fruits are preserved more than one week. After harvest, fruits are well preserved more than 2 weeks at 2.0 degree Celsius. Shipping quality: Considered very good. The fruit of the new yellow nectarine variety showed minimal bruising of the flesh or skin damage after being subjected to normal harvesting and packing procedures. Its resistance to handling during harvest and packing and its long shelf life without alteration after harvest easily permit 2 weeks-shipping at 2 degrees Celsius. Resistance to insects and disease: No particular susceptibilities were noted. The present variety is not very sensitive to Monilia or rot. The pistil cavity is completely closed, generally without any cork formation.

(25) Although the new variety of yellow nectarine tree possesses the described characteristics when grown under the ecological conditions prevailing near Elne, Pyr?n?es-Orientales departement, France, it should be understood that variations of the usual magnitude and characteristics incident to changes in growing conditions, fertilization, pruning, pest control and horticultural management are to be expected.