Overall situation of peach breeding

Abstract

Genetic breeding work requires continuity as well as a significant amount of time, work and resources (human, genetic and financial). Despite this, the development of new cultivars has become a fairly good business in the United States and in several European countries. Thus, most large American and European nurseries have their own breeding program. On the other hand, public institutions in several countries are experiencing a strong tendency to obtain and maintain germplasm, genetic studies and breeding techniques. Certainly, joint efforts, such as those mainly by the RosBreed group in the United States and Fruit Breedomics in Europe, are of great importance, as they provide important tools for classical breeders, mainly regarding to molecular markers. The most used method in cultivar development is still the controlled hybridization, followed by phenotypic selection and clonal propagation. Among the priority objectives of most peach breeding programs are: adaptation to climate change (low chilling genotypes; tolerant to high or very low temperatures); productivity; fruit appearance (without pronounced tip or bulge; attractive color, and large size), and fruit quality (sweeter flavor, and flesh firmness); stone adherence (free or semi-freestone for fresh consumption); fruit firmness and conservation (resistance to handling and transportation, low ethylene production) and disease resistance.