Nectarine tree named ‘NECTAJOY’

Abstract

A new and distinct variety of yellow nectarine tree denominated ‘NECTAJOY’ has fruits with high eating quality and very long shelf life without alteration before and after harvesting, with a semi-sweet orange yellow flesh having a red pigmentation, and an attractive luminous and homogenous skin with a very high percentage of red blush on skin surface.

Description

Botanical classification: Prunus persica (L.) Batsch.

Variety denomination: ‘NECTAJOY’.

This application claims priority of Community plant variety right No. 2014/3180 filed on Nov. 27, 2014 which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of yellow nectarine tree, Prunus persica (L.) Batsch, which has been given the variety denomination ‘NECTAJOY’. This new tree produces fruits with a long shelf life without alteration both on the tree after growth completion and after harvesting, very good eating quality, clingstone orange yellow flesh fruits for fresh market in July in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, France. Contrast is made to ‘BIGTOP’ yellow nectarine tree (non patented) for reliable description. ‘NECTAJOY’ is a promising candidate for commercial success in that it has very attractive fruits with very long shelf life without alteration both before and after harvesting.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The ‘NECTAJOY’ yellow nectarine tree originated from a cultivated area of the south of France, in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, where it was tested.

This place is under a Mediterranean climate (a temperate area), on the Mediterranean coastline. Winters are gentle and summers warm and dry. The amount of days with temperatures below 7° Celsius can vary between 600 and 1200 hours per year. The place is sunny, with 2400 to 2800 hours of sunny days per year on average. The prevailing wind is called ‘Tramontane’: it dries the air, clears the sky from clouds, but its intensity can be strong and affect the harvest, fruit quantity and/or quality. Marine moisture does not affect the place. Precipitations are irregular through the year and from one year to another. The amount of rainy days does not exceed 80 days per year, and are mostly found in Spring and Autumn. In May and October, very intense precipitations occasionally happen. Summer is dry with a few thunderstorms.

The ‘NECTAJOY’ variety resulted from a pollinated cross between the ‘NECTAVISTA’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,139) yellow nectarine tree, which was used as the seed parent, and a yellow nectarine tree named ‘ASF0600’ (not patented) which was used as the pollen parent.

The ‘NECTAJOY’ variety was obtained by hybridizing and propagated by grafting on a “INRA GF677” rootstock trees. It has been determined to have unique tree and fruit characteristics making it worthy for commercial fresh fruit production. There are no known effects of the standard rootstock trees set forth above on the scion cultivar. Asexually propagated plants remained true to the original tree and all characteristics of the tree and the fruit were transmitted. The plant was reproduced asexually by us in Les Régalines, Route d'Alenya, La Prade de Mousseillous, 66200 ELNE, Pyrénées-Orientales, France. More particularly, the plant was reproduced by grafting.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety ‘NECTAJOY’ yellow nectarine tree blooms during February near Elne in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, France. More particularly, it blooms between January 30 ^th and March 2^nd. The blooming period is considered very-early. However, it was observed that its early date of blooming seems to be highly dependant on climatic conditions.

The first fruit of ‘NECTAJOY’ ripens generally in July, approximately 3 or 4 days before the first fruit of ‘BIGTOP®’ yellow nectarine variety (non patented). More particularly, it usually ripens between June 30^th and July 25^th. However, it was observed that its early date of maturity seems to be highly dependant on climatic conditions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawing, which are as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make in a color illustration of this type:

• • FIG. 1 is a color photograph which shows the leaves of the variety and four typical specimens of the fruit, two having been cut in half with the pit being left into one of the halves for depicting fruit flesh and pit of the new variety.
  • FIG. 2 is a color photograph that shows a close view of typical fruits of the new variety ‘NECTAJOY’ at ripening time.
  • FIG. 3 is a color photograph which depicts the flower buds at different development stages, and the reverse and side view of the flower and the reproductive organs with petals removed, of the new variety.
  • FIG. 4 is a color photograph different views of the stone of the new variety, one of the stones having been cut in half, and the kernel of the stone.

Due to chemical development, processing and printing, the leaves and fruit depicted in these photographs may or may not be accurate when compared to the actual botanical specimen.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The tree, flowers, and fruit may vary in slight detail due to variations in soil type, cultural practices, and climatic condition. The potential for commercial production of fresh fruits by ‘NECTAJOY’ is high, due to fruit very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting.

Trees are medium vigorous and large stature half-standing in a semi-flared to semi-upright out aspect. The anthocyanic coloration of flowering shoot is present excluding brushwood side away from sun. The time of beginning of flowering is considered very early; flowering begins at the end of January or early in February. The type of flower is showy with medium petal size. Petals are pale pink to medium pink. Leaf glands are present and reniform. The fruit flesh is orange yellow generally with a red pigmentation. The fruit skin is very thick, with a luminous and homogenous red blush on a red orange background. The stone is clingstone and the size is medium. Fruit taste is semi-sweet, very aromatic and with a high level of sugars.

Compared to ‘BIGTOP®’ (non patented) yellow nectarine tree, ‘NECTAJOY’ variety blooms approximately 3 to 4 days earlier, as set forth above. Moreover, the maturity of ‘NECTAJOY’ variety is more grouped than for ‘BIGTOP®’ variety, which has a very long term maturity. ‘NECTAJOY’ fruits are superior to ‘BIGTOP®’ fruits; ‘NECTAJOY’ fruits color is more complete and homogenous than ‘BIGTOP®’ fruits color. ‘NECTAJOY’ fruits are rounder, without mucron and lenticels and have a semi-sweet taste. ‘NECTAJOY’ variety produces a higher quantity of both flowers and fruits than ‘BIGTOP®’ variety.

Compared to ‘NECTAVISTA’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,139), which is the female of the new variety ‘NECTAJOY’, the latter shows large petal size whereas the petals of ‘NECTAVISTA’ are medium in size. The time of flowering of the new variety ‘NECTAJOY’ is considered very early whereas the variety ‘NECTAVISTA’ blooms early during the season. The fruits of the new variety ‘NECTAJOY’ ripen generally later than the fruit of ‘NECTAVISTA’. Indeed, the time of maturity is considered early for ‘NECTAVISTA’ and early to medium for the new variety ‘NECTAJOY’. Moreover, ‘NECTAJOY’ is a variety having a low chilling requirement compared to ‘NECTAVISTA’.

Compared to its male parent ‘ASF0600’ (non patented), which has a balanced taste, the new variety ‘NECTAJOY’ has a semi-sweet, sugary and aromatic flavor. The time of maturity is considered very early for ‘ASF0600’ and early to medium for the new variety ‘NECTAJOY’.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new and distinct variety of yellow nectarine tree, the following was observed on trees in their second and third growing season (first and second year of production) for trees, fruits, leaves and stones and in their third growing season (second year of production) for the flowers, under the ecological conditions prevailing at the orchards located near the town of Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. All observations have been done on rootstock cultivars. Used rootstocks were “INRA GF677” trees. All major color code designations are by reference to The R.H.S. Colour Chart (Fourth Edition) provided by The Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain.

• Tree:
  • • Size.—Generally. — Considered large. The tree size the first year was approximately 250 cm. The tree was pruned during each following dormant season to a height of approximately 250 cm. Current season shoots growth could reach 60 to 80 cm. The tree size from the second year (second and next years) reached a final height of 310 to 330 cm including current season shoots length. The tree size is consistently reduced to 250 cm the next years.
    • Spread.—Approximately 100 cm with a cylindrical shape. The whole orchard was oriented to a central leader organization, with tree lines spaced of 4.0 meters and trees spaced of 1.0 meter in a same tree line. As a result, tree spread was about 100 cm and the orchard contained 2500 trees by hectare.
    • Vigor.—Considered medium vigorous.
    • Productivity.—Very Productive and regular, every year. Fruit set is spaced by thinning to develop the remaining fruit into the desired market sized fruit. The number of the fruit set varies with the prevailing climatic conditions and cultural practices employed during the bloom period, and is therefore not distinctive of the present variety.
    • Bearer.—Very regular. The fruit distribution is considered homogenous on mixed branches and spurs having more than 1 year. Thinning of 1 fruit out of 3 was necessary for the tree valorisation. Thinning was necessary every year during the years of observation.
    • Form.—The ‘NECTAJOY’ variety has naturally a semi-flared to semi-upright shape.
    • Density.—Considered dense.
    • Hardiness.—The present tree was grown and evaluated in France. The variety appears to be hardy under the central Pyrénées-Orientales departement typical climatic conditions. Experimentations on different sites with winter chilling requirement comprised between 350 hours and 1200 hours showed a good behaviour of the tree in all cases. No damages were caused by ascertained temperatures as low as −12 degrees Celsius in winter. The tree was also very resistant to frosty springtime weather.
• Trunk:
  • • Diameter.—Approximately 5.0 to 5.8 centimeters in diameter when measured at a distance of approximately 30 centimeters above the soil level.
    • Bark texture.—Considered rough, with lenticels.
    • Lenticels.—Numerous lenticels are present. The number of lenticels reaches 5 or 6 lenticels per cm². The lenticels range in size from approximately 3.0 millimeters to 6.0 millimeters in width, and 2.0 millimeters in height.
    • Lenticel color.—The outside of lenticels has a silver-grey color (RHS Grey 201 C), whereas the inside is considered brown (RHS Greyed Orange 164 A or RHS Greyed Orange 165 B).
    • Bark coloration.—The bark has a grey green color (RHS Greyed Green 197 A) or a silver-grey color (RHS Grey 201 C) similar to the outside of lenticels color.
• Branches:
  • • Size.—Mature branches and current season shoots are considered medium for the variety.
    • Diameter.—Average as compared to other nectarine varieties. The current season shoots have a diameter of approximately 6.0 millimeters, and branches in their second growing season have a diameter from 18.0 to 22.0 millimeters.
    • Surface texture.—Average, wood which is several years old has no furrowed appearance.
    • Crotch angles.—Primary branches are considered variable, but the crotch angles are generally between 45 degrees and 55 degrees from the horizontal axis. This particular characteristic is not considered distinctive of the variety, however.
    • Current season shoots.—Internode length: Generally between 15.0 and 20.0 millimeters. Color of mature branches: Medium brown (RHS Grey Brown N199 B).
    • Current seasons shoots.—Color. — The color of new shoot tips is considered a pale yellow-green (RHS Yellow Green 144 A to RHS Yellow Green 144 B) on lower part of new shoot tips, whereas the upper part is darker and colored in brown-purple to red purple (RHS Greyed Orange 166 A or RHS Greyed Red 178 A).
• Leaves:
  • • Size.—Considered medium for the species. The ratio leaf length/leaf width is 3.39.
    • Leaf length.—Approximately 140.0 to 161.0 millimeters with leaf petiole. The medium length is 149.3 millimeters.
    • Leaf width.—Approximately 40.0 to 47.0 millimeters. The medium width is 44.0 millimeters.
    • Leaf base shape.—Concave.
    • Leaf form.—Lanceolate.
    • Leaf tip form.—Short, pointed and acuminate.
    • Leaf color.—Upper leaf surface. — Green (RHS Yellow Green 147 A). Lower surface. — A lighter green (RHS Yellow Green 147 B) than the upper leaf surface color.
    • Leaf texture.—Smooth and glabrous.
    • Leaf venation.—Pinnately veined.
    • Mid-vein.—Color. — Light green, almost yellow (RHS Yellow Green 150 D). The color may evolve with maturity.
    • Leaf margins.—Slightly undulating.
    • Form.—Considered slightly dentate.
    • Uniformity.—Leaves are isolated or grouped by 2 or 3. In this last case, one leaf of normal size is found with one or two smaller leaves (at least 50% smaller).
    • Leaf petioles.—Size. — Considered medium. Length. — About 9.0 to about 11.0 millimeters. Diameter. — About 2.0 millimeters.
    • Petioles color.—Upper petiole surface. — Light green (RHS Yellow Green 145 A). Lower surface. — Light green (RHS Yellow Green 145 C).
    • Leaf glands.—Size. — Considered medium. Their length is about 1.5 millimeters and their width is about 1.0 millimeter. Number. — Generally 2 glands per leaf. Type. — Reniform. Color. — On young leaves, leaf glands color is considered a light green (RHS Green 144 B to RHS Green 144 A). On older leaves, leaf glands color turns to a dark brown (RHS Grey Brown 199 A to RHS Grey Brown 199 B). Margins. — Smooth and regular.
    • Leaf stipules.—Generally. — No leaf stipules were observed. But as seen in the characteristic relative to the leaves uniformity, it is possible to find leaves by groups of 2 or 3, with a normal-size leaf and smaller ones.
• Flowers:
  • • Flower buds.—Generally. — At pre-floral stage of development the floral buds are conic in form with a round tip. Their form is evolving until blooming, with variables dimensions. Just before blooming, floral buds are approximately 12.0 millimeters wide and approximately 16.0 to 18.0 millimeters long. Color. — This characteristic is dependent upon the proximity to bloom. At pre-floral stage of development (stage A), the bottom of the flowers buds, formed by the sepals, is of purple-brown color (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A to RHS Greyed Purple 183 B to RHS Greyed Purple 183 C or RHS Greyed Purple 187 B and RHS Grey Brown Group 199 A at the base). The corolla, formed by the petals, is generally of pale pink (RHS Red purple 69 B to RHS Red purple 69 C) or medium pink color (RHS Red Purple 65 B to RHS Red Purple 65 C to RHS Red Purple 65 D). Petals color shows an evolution until the end of flowering.
    • Hardiness.—The buds are considered hardy under typical central Pyrénées-Orientales departement climatic conditions. No winter injury was noted during the last several years of evaluation in the central Pyrénées-Orientales departement, with winter temperatures as low as −10 degrees Celsius in January. The current variety has not been intentionally subjected to drought or heat stress, but the variety showed a very good resistance in orchard to temperatures up to 42 degrees Celsius with an average temperature between 28 and 30 degrees Celsius during 3 weeks in summer.
    • Date of bloom.—The blooming time generally begins at the end of January or during February. The first bloom was observed on Feb. 20, 2012.
    • Blooming time.—Considered very early-season in relative comparison to other commercial nectarine cultivars grown in the Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. The date of full bloom is observed at the middle of the blooming period. The date of bloom varies slightly with climatic conditions and cultural practices. Thus the first full bloom was observed on Feb. 20 until Mar. 2, 2012, then Jan. 30 until Feb. 16, 2013, then Feb. 6 until Feb. 17, 2014, then Feb. 20 until Feb. 28, 2015.
    • Duration of bloom.—Approximately 8 to 19 days. This characteristic varies slightly with the prevailing climatic conditions.
    • Flower type.—The variety is considered to have a showy type flower (rosette type).
    • Flower size.—Considered medium. Flower diameter at full bloom is approximately 30.0 to 35.0 millimeters.
    • Bloom quantity.—Considered very abundant, approximately between 45 and 50 flowers per meter, with a good distribution and a high rate of fruit set.
    • Flower bud frequency.—Generally 2 flower buds appear per node, occasionally 1.
    • Petal size.—Generally. — Considered large.
    • Length.—Generally between 19.0 to 21.0 millimeters.
    • Width.—Generally 19.0 millimeters.
    • Petal form.—Round-shaped.
    • Petal count.—Generally 5.
    • Petal texture.—Smooth, soft and glabrous.
    • Petal color.—Both surfaces of the petal are colored with a pale pink (RHS Red purple 69 B to RHS Red purple 69 C) or medium pink color (RHS Red Purple 65 B to RHS Red Purple 65 C to RHS Red Purple 65 D) when young, becoming slightly darker until the end of blooming.
    • Fragrance.—Sweet.
    • Petal claw.—Form. — The claw is considered to have a triangular form, narrower at the base. Length. — Approximately 2.0 millimeters. Width. — Approximately 1.0 millimeter at the base. Color. — Red Purple (RHS Red Purple 73C).
    • Petal margins.—Generally considered slightly undulating.
    • Petal apex.—Generally. — The petal apices are generally round-shaped and slightly dentate.
    • Flower pedicel.—Length. — Considered medium and having an average length of approximately 2.5 millimeters. Diameter. — Considered average, approximately 1.5 millimeters. Color. — Green (RHS Yellow Green N144 A to RHS Yellow Green N144 B).
    • Calyx.—Internal surface texture. — Smooth and glabrous. Color. — At the stage F of blooming, when the flower is open, the inner surface of the calyx is matt and considered golden-orange (RHS Greyed Red 178 C to RHS Greyed Red 178D). The outer surface of the calyx is considered of purple-brown color (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A to RHS Greyed Purple 183 B to RHS Greyed Purple 183 C or RHS Greyed Purple 187 B and RHS Yellow Green 144 A to RHS Yellow Green 144 B at the base).
    • Sepals.—Number. — Generally five sepals. Surface texture. — The outer surface has a short, fine pubescent texture. Size. — Average. Length. — Approximately 5.0 millimeters. Width. — Approximately 4.0 millimeters. Color. — At the stage F of blooming, the inner surface of the sepals is matt and considered golden-orange (RHS Greyed Red 178 C to RHS Greyed Red 178 D). The outer surface of sepals are colored with a matt Red (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A to RHS Greyed Purple 183 B to RHS Greyed Purple 183 C or RHS Greyed Purple 187 B and RHS Yellow Green 144 A to RHS Yellow Green 144 B at the base).
    • Average number of stamens per flower.—Approximately 45 to 52 stamens per flower.
    • Anthers.—Generally. — Small in length. Color. — Orange yellow color (RHS Yellow Orange 16 A to RHS Yellow Orange 16 B) or red to red orange color (RHS Red Group N34A or RHS Greyed Red Group 178 A). The color may evolve with maturity to turn in a red orange color.
    • Pollen production.—Pollen is abundant, and has an orange yellow color (Approximately RHS Yellow Orange 17 B to RHS Yellow Orange 17 C) which may evolve with maturity. The present variety is considered auto-fertile (self-pollinating).
    • Filaments.—Size. — Medium length, between 9.0 and 16.0 millimeters in length. Filaments length is generally smaller than the pistil's length.
    • Color.—Considered white (RHS White N155 D) to light pink (approximately RHS Red Purple 62 D). The color evolves and becomes darker during the blooming.
    • Pistil.—Number. — Usually 1. Generally. — Average in size. Length. — Approximately 16.0 to 20 millimeters including the ovary. Generally higher than stamen length. Color. — Considered a very pale green (RHS Yellow Green Group 151 D) at the beginning of flowering, it becomes lighter and lighter (RHS Yellow Green 150 D) during the blooming and sometimes very slightly pinky (RHS Red Group 36D) at the end of the blooming. Surface texture. — Glabrous.
• Fruit:
  • • Maturity when described.—Very firm in ripe conditions (shipping ripe).
    • Date of first picking.—Jul. 7, 2011.
    • Date of last picking.—The date of harvest varies slightly with the prevailing climatic conditions. The ‘NECTAJOY’ variety has an early to medium date of picking, and a grouped maturity. The maturity is grouped within 8 to 12 days and the harvest is generally performed in two runs. Last known picking times carry on from Jul. 7 to Jul. 18, 2011, then from Jul. 14 to Jul. 25, 2012, then from Jul. 13 to Jul. 20, 2013, then from Jun. 30 to Jul. 8, 2014 and from Jul. 11 to Jul. 20, 2015.
    • Size.—Generally. — Homogeneous in size. Generally, size AA.
    • Average cheek diameter.—Approximately 70.0 to 76.0 millimeters.
    • Average axial diameter.—Approximately 60.0 to 74.0 millimeters.
    • Typical weight.—Generally about 185.0 to 220.0 grams. This characteristic is high dependent upon the prevailing cultural practices, and therefore is not particularly distinctive of the variety.
    • Fruit form.—Generally. — Round to slightly elevated. The fruit is generally uniform in symmetry, viewed from the suture's plane.
    • Fruit suture.—Wide-mouthed and slightly marked, extending from the base to the apex. No apparent callousing or stitching exists along the suture line. Not pointed.
    • Suture.—Color. — The suture has generally a similar red color to the whole fruit color (RHS Greyed Purple 187 A).
    • Ventral surface.—Form. — Smooth.
    • Apex.—Non-prominent, generally slightly depressed.
    • Base.—Semi-flared, shallow.
    • Stem cavity.—Average depth of the stem cavity is about 12.0 to 16.0 millimeters. Average width is about 14.0 millimeters.
    • Fruit skin.—Thickness. — Considered very thick and strong, and the adherence of skin to flesh is strong to medium, depending on the fruit maturity. Texture. — Glabrous. Taste. — Semi-sweet, aromatic, with a high level of sugars. Tendency to crack. — None observed.
    • Color.—Blush color. — This blush color is red (RHS Greyed Purple 187 A). The red blush covers 90% of the fruit skin surface on an orange red background (RHS Orange Red N34 A). The percentage of the blush on the fruit skin-surface can vary, and is generally dependant upon the prevailing conditions under which the fruit was grown. Ground color. — The ground color covers approximately 10% of the fruit skin surface, and is considered orange red (RHS Orange Red N 34 A).
    • Fruit stem.—Medium in length, approximately 9.0 millimeters.
    • Diameter.—Approximately 4.0 millimeters.
    • Color.—Pale green (RHS Yellow Green 145 A to RHS Yellow Green 145 B).
    • Flesh.—Ripens. — Very homogenously, slowly. The flesh has a long shelf life. Texture. — Very firm, very dense, crunchy, melting, juicy at harvest maturity stage. Fibers. — Not fibrous. Aroma. — Pronounced. Eating quality. — Considered very good and aromatic. Flavor. — Considered semi-sweet and very aromatic. The Brix is generally superior to 12 and acidity comprised between 6 and 9 meq/100 ml. Juice. — Very juicy at complete maturity. Brix. — Generally between 12.0 to 18.0 degrees. This characteristic varies slightly with the number of fruit per tree; prevailing cultural practices; and the surrounding climatic conditions. Flesh color. — Orange yellow flesh (RHS Yellow Orange 21 C) usually with a red pigmentation (RHS Red 46 A).
• Stone:
  • • Type.—Clingstone, more or less adherent depending on the fruit maturity.
    • Size.—Considered medium for the variety. The stone size varies significantly depending upon the tree vigor, crop load and prevailing growing conditions.
    • Length.—Approximately 28.0 to 31.0 millimeters.
    • Width.—Approximately 23.0 to 26.0 millimeters.
    • Diameter.—Approximately 17.0 to 19.0 millimeters.
    • Form.—Elliptic.
    • Base.—Straight.
    • Apex.—Shape. — The stone apex is short, pointed.
    • Stone cavity.—Considered medium to large size, with an ovate-form and dimensions corresponding to the stone's dimensions.
    • Stone surface.—Surface texture. — The pit is transversely furrowed on its entire surface. Furrows are more pronounced toward the apex. The stone is pitted toward the base. Relief is prominent generally and present basally. Ridges. — The surface texture is generally characterized by more prominent ridges along the ventral edges and is more prominent at the apical tip.
    • Ventral edge.—Width. — Considered small to medium, and having a dimension of approximately 2.0 to 3.0 millimeters at mid-suture.
    • Dorsal edge.—Shape. — Grooved.
    • Stone color.—The color of the dry stone is generally considered light orange brown (RHS Greyed Orange 164 A to RHS Greyed Orange 164 B or RHS Greyed Orange 166 D).
    • Tendency to split.—Splitting is very low or absent, depending on climatic conditions between blooming period and stone hardening.
    • Kernel.—Size. — The kernel is considered medium. Length. — Approximately 15.0 to 17.0 millimeters. Width. — Approximately 9.0 to 11.0 millimeters. Thickness. — Approximately 4.0 to 6.0 millimeters. Form. — Considered flattened and elliptic. Pellicle. — The pellicle of the kernel has a short pubescence. Color. — The kernel skin is a orange-brown (RHS Greyed Orange 164 A or RHS Greyed Orange 165 B). The almond, which is the seed of the kernel, is yellow white (RHS Yellow White 158 B to RHS Yellow White 158 C) and has a bitter tasting. The kernel and its embryo are mature at the time of fruit maturity.
    • Use.—The subject variety ‘NECTAJOY’ is considered to be a nectarine tree having an early season of maturity, suited for low chill areas, and which produces fruits that are considered firm, attractively colored with a very luminous red. Fruits have a semi-sweet taste and are excellent for uncooked consumption, crunchy or melting when at full maturity. Fruits have excellent gustative qualities. Due to their flesh quality, firmness and density, they can also be commercialized as 4^th range product (packed fruit or fruit in bags for example). And they are also useful for both local and very long distance shipping.
    • Keeping quality.—Remarkable. Fruit have a slow maturation and a long shelf life both on the tree after growth completion and after harvesting without alteration. After growth completion, fruits are preserved more than one week. After harvest, fruits are well preserved more than 4 weeks at 2.0 degree Celsius.
    • Shipping quality.—Considered very good. The fruit of the new yellow nectarine variety showed minimal bruising of the flesh or skin damage after being subjected to normal harvesting and packing procedures. Its resistance to handling during harvest and packing and its long shelf life without alteration after harvest easily permit 3 to 4 weeks-shipping at 2 degrees Celsius.
    • Resistance to insects and disease.—No particular susceptibilities were noted. The present variety is not very sensitive to powdery mildew, or conservation diseases and decay due to its thick and strong skin. Although the new variety of nectarine tree possesses the described characteristics when grown under the ecological conditions prevailing near Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France, it should be understood that variations of the usual magnitude and characteristics incident to changes in growing conditions, fertilization, pruning, pest control and horticultural management are to be expected.

Claims

1. A new and distinct variety of yellow nectarine tree as illustrated and described, characterized by fruits with high eating quality and very long shelf life without alteration before and after harvesting, with a semi-sweet orange yellow flesh having a red pigmentation, and an attractive luminous and homogenous skin with a very high percentage of red blush on skin surface.