Peach tree named 'NJ357'

Abstract

A new and distinct peach variety of Prunus persica named NJ357 is provided. This variety is distinguished from other peach varieties by its unique combination of showy flowers, large, nearly round, freestone fruit, with an attractive red blush and orange-red mottle over a bright yellow-orange ground color, ripening in midseason, with yellow-orange, firm, juicy flesh, and sweet, subacid flavor that is maintained following cold storage.

Claims

1. A new and distinct variety of peach tree, substantially as herein shown and described.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] This new variety is illustrated by the accompanying photographic drawings, depicting the peach tree by the best possible color representation using color photography. Colors are approximate as color depends on horticultural practices, such as light level, fertilization rate, and other conditions and, therefore, the color characteristics of this new variety should be determined with reference to the observations described herein, rather than from these illustrations alone.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a color photograph taken on Aug. 22, 2014 of a characteristic twig of NJ357 in late spring bearing typical leaves of the foliage.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a color photograph taken on Aug. 11, 2014 of characteristic mature fruit and stones of NJ357. Whole fruit are presented in three positions and both a transverse and longitudinal cross section to illustrate that the pericarp does not adhere to the pit when the fruit is mature. The stones exemplify the obovate shape and pits and grooves on the surface of the stone.

[0016] FIG. 3 is a color photograph of a characteristic twig that illustrates the typical flower buds and large, showy flowers of NJ357 observed on a tree at the fruit research farm in Cream Ridge, N.J. on Apr. 21, 2015.

[0017] FIG. 4 is a color photograph of a dormant tree of NJ357, prior to pruning, in late winter that illustrates the spreading growth habit of a tree at the fruit research farm in Cream Ridge, N.J. on Feb. 8, 2016.

[0018] FIG. 5 is a color photograph taken on Mar. 17, 2015 of immature bark of NJ357 that illustrates color and the moderate density of conspicuous elliptic lenticels on the immature bark.

[0019] FIG. 6 is a color photograph taken on Mar. 11, 2015 of mature bark of NJ357 that illustrates the grey color, areas of shallow exfoliation, and slightly rough texture of the mature bark.

[0020] The colors of and illustration of this type may vary with lighting and other conditions under which conditions and, therefore, color characteristics of this new variety should be determined with reference to the observations described herein, rather than from these illustrations alone.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

[0021] The following detailed description of the NJ357 variety is based on observations of an asexually reproduced tree. The observed tree was six years of age and growing on Lovell seedling rootstock (non-patented) at said fruit research farm in Cream Ridge, N.J. [0022] Scientific name: Prunus persica L. [0023] Parentage:

TABLE-US-00001 Seed parent: H15-20-90258. Pollen parent: Summerprince. [0024] Tree:

TABLE-US-00002 Vigor: Vigorous. Plant hardiness zone: Growth of plants has only been observed in zone 6b. Dormant flower bud At least to 20 C. cold tolerance: Overall shape: Spreading. Height: Average as compared to other peach cultivars. For example, measurement of a typical grafted tree on Lovell peach seedling rootstock (non-patented) at six years after planting shows an average height of 3.4 meters when grown in Cream Ridge, N.J. Width: Average as compared to other peach cultivars. For example, measurement of a typical grafted tree on Lovell peach seedling rootstock (non-patented) at six years after planting shows an average width of 4.3 meters when grown in Cream Ridge, N.J. Caliper: Six year old tree is 48 cm. in circumference measured at 20 cm. from the ground. [0025] Trunk and branches:

TABLE-US-00003 Trunk bark texture: Slightly rough with areas of shallow exfoliation. Trunk bark color: Grey (RHS 201C). Primary branches: Branches that are approximately 16 cm. in circumference are greyed-orange (RHS 176B) overlaid with grey (RHS 201B). Lenticels: Moderate density, approximately 1.1 per square cm; elliptical in shape and conspicuous; typical examples of which averaged 5.5 mm. in length and 2.2 mm. in width; grey (RHS 201D) in color becoming greyed-orange (RHS 174B) towards the center. Branch pubescence: None. New growth bark: Greyed-purple (RHS 183A) in sun; color yellow-green (RHS 152D) in shade overlaid with greyed-red (RHS 182b). Internodes: Length averaging 22.2 mm. on a one-year shoot. [0026] Leaves:

TABLE-US-00004 Texture: Glabrous, both surfaces Sheen: Young leaves semi-glossy with a flat finish on the underside. Length: About 165 mm. to 191 mm., averaging about 175 mm. including the petiole. Width: About 31 mm. to 37 mm., averaging about 35 mm. Petiole: Averaging 9.4 mm. long and about 2.0 mm. in diameter. Margin: Crenate. Margin undulation: Wavy. Form: Lanceolate, and concave in cross section. Apex: Sharply acuminate, curved downward. Base: Acute. Venation: Pinnate. Glands: Number: About 2 to 4, averaging about 2.7. Position: Mostly located on the petiole, occasionally on the leaf margin near its base. Size: Length averaging 1.6 mm. and width averaging 1.2 mm. Form: Reniform. Stipules: None observed on mature leaves. Leaf Color: Upper leaf surface: Yellow-green (between RHS 146A and RHS 147B). Lower leaf surface: Yellow-green (RHS 147B). Vein: Yellow-green (RHS 145C). Pubescence: None. [0027] Flowers:

TABLE-US-00005 Size: Large size, typical flower measuring between 39 mm. to 46 mm, averaging about 42 mm. across. Color: Dormant bud: Grey (RHS 201D) becoming Grey (RHS 201A) near the basc. Pink stage bud: Red (between RHS 55A and RHS 55B). Open flower: Red (between RHS 55B and RHS 55D). Petals: Typically five petals per flower; slightly cupped, slightly elliptic to nearly round, with slight undulation at the margin, averaging about 21.3 mm. long and 17.6 mm. wide. Petal apex: Obtuse, nearly rounded. Petal base: Cuneate. Stamens: Number: Variable, typical range 40 and 48, averaging 43.4. Length: Variable, between 9.8 mm. to 16 mm, averaging 13.0 mm. Filament color: White (RHS 155C). Anther color: Orange-red (between RHS 34B and RHS 34C). Pistil: Number: One. Size: Length between 16 and 28 mm., averaging 20.1 mm. Pistil color: Yellow-green (RHS 145C). Ovary: Moderate, long pubescence and ellipsoid in shape, color yellow-green (RHS 145B). Sepals: Number Five. Pubescence: Length short, heavy density. Color: Greyed-red (RHS 182C) to greyed-purple (RHS 183B) becoming greyed-green (RHS 146D) near the margin. Shape: Triangular, with a rounded apex. Size: Length averaging 6.6 mm, width averaging 4.3 mm. Nectar cup color: Greyed-orange (between RHS 169B and RHS 169C). Pollen: Abundant; yellow (RHS 11A) in color. Fragrance: Very slight. Bloom season: Onset of bloom in 2014 on April 16; full bloom on April 24. [0028] Fruit:

TABLE-US-00006 Size: Large, averaging about 7.2 cm. long, 7.5 cm. wide parallel to the suture and 6.9 cm. wide perpendicular to the suture. Typical weight: 220g. Form: Longitudinal section: Nearly round; slightly lipped at apex. Traverse section: Nearly round. Suture: Very shallow, extending from base to apex. Ventral surface: Nearly smooth at its base, becoming lipped towards the apex. Base: Flat. Apex: Flat to slightly depressed. Stem: Average length of 9.1 mm. and an average diameter of 4.3 mm. Skin: Thickness: Medium. Surface: Pubescent, generally light and short. Tenacity: Medium. Astringency: None. Tendency to crack: Low. Color: Blush is between red (RHS 46A) and greyed- purple (RHS 183A); mottle and stripes are orange- red (between RHS 34A and RHS 34B); ground color is yellow-orange (between RHS 21C and RHS 22D). Fruit Properties: Flesh color: Yellow-orange (RHS 16C). Flesh adhesion: Freestone. Juice: Moderate. Texture: Firm, but melting. Fibers: Not noticeable. Ripens: Between July 25 and August 6 at Cream Ridge, N.J. Flavor: Sweet, subacid. Soluble solids: 11.7%. Aroma: Slight. Eating quality: Good to very good. Keeping quality: Medium. Has held its flavor and firmness for at least 14 days in cold storage at 1 C. to 2 C. May develop some inking after storage. Shipping quality: Good. No bruising or scaring disorders have been observed. Usage: Dessert. Market: Local and long distance. Productivity: Excellent. Trees have produced a full crop in 8 out of 10 years, and at least a partial crop in 9 out of 10 years at Cream Ridge, N.J. [0029] Stone:

TABLE-US-00007 Type: Freestone. Form: Obovate. Base: Medium. Apex: Narrow. Surface: Pits and grooves. Ventral suture: Medium to large. Dorsal ridge: Medium to high, broad width, forming deep lines. External color: Greyed-orange (RHS 165D). Cavity surface color: Greyed-orange (RHS 165D), mottled with greyed-orange (RHS 165C). Average stone dry 6.6 g. weight: Average stone wall Varies between 5.3 mm. along the dorsal ridge thickness: to 9.4 mm. at the base. Size: Averages about 39.5 mm. long, 24.6 mm. wide parallel to the dorsal ridge, and 19.9 mm. wide perpendicular to the dorsal ridge. Tendency to split: Typically low when well cropped. Kernel: Form: Elliptic to slightly obovate. Skin color: Greyed-orange (between RHS 163B and RHS 163C). Vein color: Greyed-orange (RHS 163A). Viability: Yes, but may need to be germinated in tissue culture. Size: Averages about 17.1 mm. long, 11.7 mm. wide, and 1.8 mm. in breadth. [0030] Plant/fruit disease and pest resistance/susceptibility: No atypical resistances/susceptibilities have been noted under normal cultural practices.