Results from the Peach Breeding Programme in Bulgaria

The start of the new breeding programme in 1989 for the improvement of peach cultivars at the Fruit-Growing Institute - Plovdiv created good conditions for the establishment of a hybrid fund of first and second progenies. The major aim of the programme was to extend the peach ripening season in Bulgaria by establishing new cultivars of very early and very late fruit ripening season, with better sensory characteristics and more resistant to diseases. An additional breeding aim was the development of peaches with white fruit flesh, as well as cultivars of specific crown type - Pillar, Pendula, and Dwarf. The hybridization plan included 36 parental combinations and open pollination progenies. The hybrids were obtained in the period 1989 - 1996 by cross-pollination. The total number of plants obtained was 2385, out of which 53 elites were selected. Three elites had the best agronomic and biological characteristics: 19-160/No. 127 - unknown seedling. 'Early Crest', the fruits are very big (150 g), very early (five to six days before 'Maycrest'), having very good specific taste and consistency; 20-9 from 'July Lady'. 'Maycrest', the fruits are very big (210 g), very early (three to four days after 'Maycrest'), very good in taste; 19-54, from 'July Lady' x 'July Lady', the fruits are very big (180 g), ripening four to five days after 'Redhaven', excellent in taste and colour.