In partnership with the University of Guelph and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), Vineland Research and Innovation Centre (Vineland) is soon bringing to market new varieties of tender fruit preferred by growers and consumers alike.

Since 2014, the Tender Fruit Evaluation Committee (TFEC) – comprised of growers, nurseries, marketers and retailers – planted more than 2,000 trees of 30 selections from peaches and nectarines to pears, plums and apricots at 18 commercial grower sites in Ontario. The trees come from the University of Guelph and the former AAFC breeding programs through license agreements with Vineland.

“TFEC which provides guidance on the release of new tender fruit varieties is evaluating a number of tree and fruit characteristics such as: adaptation to the Canadian climate; disease tolerance/resistance; superior fruit flesh colouring, texture and flavour; and of course degree of fruit sweetness,” said Michael Kauzlaric, Vineland’s Technology Scout & Grower Outreach.

Seven varieties of peaches, nectarines and pears from the University of Guelph and AAFC programs are entering their third year of TFEC on-site testing and evaluation in growers’ fields. “These novel varieties will be introduced to retailers with the intent of bringing them to market in the near future,” said Professor Jayasankar Subramanian, PhD, researcher at the University of Guelph.

What’s next? “The goal is to add new selections – from the University of Guelph, AAFC and international scouting - to generate a pipeline,” said Kauzlaric.

A number of new initiatives are already under way. AAFC apricots with a better red blush and a harvest window that extends the season will be evaluated this year. A plum/cherry hybrid from Australia planted in Vineland’s test block is anticipated to bear fruit this month. And finally, new peach varieties from Europe should be ready for commercial grower testing in 2019.

For more information:
Michael Kauzlaric
Technology Scout & Grower Outreach
Tel: +1 905 562 0320 x755
michael.kauzlaric@vinelandresearch.com

Source: http://www.freshplaza.com/article/180342/New-tender-fruit-varieties-coming-soon-to-Canada