Articles
Are we ready for the next peach? A still underexplored crop
Article number
1352_1
Pages
1 – 16
Language
English
Abstract
A critical evaluation of the role of peach breeding in light of the current challenges of this crop is strongly recommended.
Eating quality is still a cornerstone, but other breeding objectives are increasingly gaining crucial importance, such as the improvement of yield efficiency and resistance (or tolerance) to diseases and abiotic stresses.
The recent building of a European network of a genetic collection (e.g. the PeachRefPoP network) represents a milestone to pave the bases for further achievements under several aspects.
Though many issues related to fruit quality have been discussed for a long time, room for improvement is still possible by digging into the wealth of the crop genetic resources such as the development of flesh textures for improving post-harvest features or the exploitation of the wide flavor arrays for shaping custom-tailored fruits; both of which remain unexplored.
Some efforts have been focused on main diseases such as bacterial leaf spot, brown rot and sharka (PPV). In addition, the genetic variability of tree architecture, although rather extensively explored, has been only slightly exploited in terms of commercial releases.
As an example, some traits such as the columnar and weeping growth habits when combined with the narrow leaf trait could be applicable to designing novel tree canopies that match several sustainable economic and environmental goals.
Eating quality is still a cornerstone, but other breeding objectives are increasingly gaining crucial importance, such as the improvement of yield efficiency and resistance (or tolerance) to diseases and abiotic stresses.
The recent building of a European network of a genetic collection (e.g. the PeachRefPoP network) represents a milestone to pave the bases for further achievements under several aspects.
Though many issues related to fruit quality have been discussed for a long time, room for improvement is still possible by digging into the wealth of the crop genetic resources such as the development of flesh textures for improving post-harvest features or the exploitation of the wide flavor arrays for shaping custom-tailored fruits; both of which remain unexplored.
Some efforts have been focused on main diseases such as bacterial leaf spot, brown rot and sharka (PPV). In addition, the genetic variability of tree architecture, although rather extensively explored, has been only slightly exploited in terms of commercial releases.
As an example, some traits such as the columnar and weeping growth habits when combined with the narrow leaf trait could be applicable to designing novel tree canopies that match several sustainable economic and environmental goals.
Publication
Authors
D. Bassi, M. Cirilli, S. Foschi
Keywords
breeding, cultivar, genetics, P. persica (L). Batsch, selection
Groups involved
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