Nectarine tree named ‘NSRED15265’

Abstract

A new and distinct variety of red blood nectarine tree denominated ‘NSRED15265’ has fruits with high eating quality and very long shelf life without alteration before and after harvesting, with a semi-sweet dark pink red blood colored flesh, and a very high percentage of dark purple red blush on skin surface.

Description

This application claims priority of Community plant variety right No. 2018/3700 filed on Nov. 29, 2018 which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Botanical classification: Prunus persica (L.) Batsch.

Variety denomination: ‘NSRED15265’.

The new variety named ‘NSRED15265’ is also known as 07.29.28.14 NS or ASF15265. Indeed, before giving a name to a new and distinct variety of fruit tree, a provisional reference is assigned, considering the references of a tree in orchard. This provisional reference is constituted firstly with the number of the parcel on which the tree has grown, then the number of the line, the tree number and finally the year of selection. Then before being named ‘NSRED15265’, the provisional reference of this nectarine tree variety was 07.29.28.14 NS, corresponding to the tree 28 located in line 29 of the parcel 07 and selected during the year 2014. The letters “NS” are related to the first letters of the type of tree in French (NS for “Nectarine Sanguine”, that means “blood nectarine”). Once the hybrid selected, the breeder assigned a clone reference that begins with the letters “ASF” followed by the year of selection and a number corresponding to the maturity order. The final name is only assigned once the application has been filed and the name approved after its publication in the official bulletin. For the variety ‘NSRED15265’, the clone reference was ‘ASF15265’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of blood nectarine tree, also named red colored flesh nectarine, Prunus persica (L.) Batsch, which has been given the variety denomination ‘NSRED15265’. 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 dark red or blood red flesh fruits for fresh market in July in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, France. Contrast is made to ‘NECTARCRISP’ white nectarine tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,384), as well as to ‘NECTATOP’ yellow nectarine tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,141) and ‘NSRED15270’ red blood nectarine tree (U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No. 16/350,466 filed on Nov. 20, 2018), for reliable description. ‘NSRED15265’ 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 ‘NSRED15265’ red 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 700 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 ‘NSRED15265’ variety resulted from a controlled cross between ‘NECTARCRISP’ white nectarine tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,384), which was used as the seed parent (or female parent) and ‘NECTATOP’ yellow nectarine tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,141) which was used as the pollen parent (or male parent).

The ‘NSRED15265’ 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 ‘NSRED15265’ red nectarine tree blooms at the end of February or early in March near Elne in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, France. More particularly, it usually blooms between February 28^th and March 13^th. The blooming period is considered medium. However, it was observed that its date of blooming seems to be highly dependant on climatic conditions.

The first fruit of ‘NSRED15265’ ripens generally at early in July, sometimes at the middle of July. More particularly, it usually ripens between July 7^th and July 22^nd. The time of fruit maturity is also considered medium. 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 some trees of the new variety, in orchard, bearing fruits.

FIG. 2 is a color photograph which shows a close view of fruits and leaves of the new variety in orchard.

FIG. 3 is a color photograph which shows typical flowers of ‘NSRED15265’ variety (also named 07.29.28.14NS) at blooming for depicting the flower buds at different stages of development; and the reverse and side views of the flowers and the reproductive organs with petals removed, of the new variety

FIG. 4 is a color photograph that shows a close view of typical fruits of the new variety ‘NSRED15265’ at ripening time, one fruit having been cut in halves with the stone being left into the half shown on FIG. 4 for depicting fruit flesh and stone of the new variety.

FIG. 5 is a color photograph that shows a close view of three whole typical fruits of the new variety ‘NSRED15265’ at ripening time, one fruit having been cut in halves with the stone being left into one of the halves, for depicting fruit flesh, stone, and stone cavity of the new variety.

FIG. 6 is a color photograph which shows the upper and lower leave surfaces of the new variety with three typical specimens of the fruit, and one supplementary fruit having been cut in halves with the stone being left into one of the halves.

FIG. 7 is a color photograph which showing different views of the stone of the new variety, and the kernel of the stone.

The views of trees, leaves and fruits have been photographed in their fourth growing season (third year of production). The views of flowers have been photographed in their third growing season (second year of production).

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 ‘NSRED15265’ 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 medium; the flowering usually begins at the end of February or early in March. The type of flower is showy (rosette) with medium petal size. Petals are colored in medium pink. Leaf glands are present and reniform. The fruit flesh is a dark pink red, also named blood red. The fruit skin is colored in purple red color. The stone is considered clingstone, more or less adherent depending on the fruit maturity. Fruit taste is semi-sweet, very aromatic and with a high level of sugars.

Compared to ‘NECTARCRISP’ white nectarine tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,384), which is the seed parent of ‘NSRED15265’, the new variety shows a surprising bright blood pink red flesh color whereas the fruits of ‘NECTARCRISP’ present a white colored flesh.

The ripening time of the new variety ‘NSRED15265’ is considered medium. The first fruits usually ripen early in July, sometimes at the middle of July, whereas the fruits of the variety ‘NECTARCRISP’ ripen late during the season, namely early in September to mid-September depending on the years.

Compared to ‘NECTATOP’ yellow nectarine tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,141), which is the pollen parent of ‘NSRED15265’, the new variety shows a surprising bright blood pink red flesh color whereas the fruits of ‘NECTATOP present a yellow colored flesh.

The ripening time of the new variety ‘NSRED15265’ is considered medium, as it ripens generally early in July, sometimes at the middle of July, whereas the fruits of the variety ‘NECTATOP’ ripen late during the season, namely mid-August depending on the years.

Compared to ‘NSRED15270’ red-fleshed nectarine (U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No. 16/350,466 filed on Nov. 20, 2018), the ripening time of the new variety ‘NSRED15265’ is considered earlier than those of ‘NSRED15270”, as it ripens generally 2 weeks earlier. The fruits of the new variety ‘NSRED15265’ are rounder than those of ‘NSRED15270’ whose fruit are considered round and triangular. The fruits of ‘NSRED15270’ seem to be bigger and heavier than ‘NSRED15265’ fruit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new and distinct variety of red nectarine tree, the following was observed on trees in their fourth growing season (third year of production) for trees, leaves and fruits and on trees 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. (Royal Horticultural Society) Color 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.—The productivity is considered very good 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 ‘NSRED15265’ 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 the same orchard in Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales department, with winter chilling requirement below 7.2° C. comprised between 700 hours and 1200 hours according to the specificities of the year, namely 1031 hours in 2012-2013, 777 hours in 2013-2014, 893 hours in 2014-2015, 718 hours in 2015-2016, 825 hours in 2016-2017, 1017 hours in 2017-2018 and 844 hours in 2018-2019 showed a good behaviour of the trees 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 46.0 to 52.0 millimeters in diameter when measured at a distance of approximately 20.0 centimeters above the soil level.
    • Bark texture.—Considered rough, with lenticels.
    • Lenticels.—Numerous lenticels are present. The number of lenticels reaches 3 lenticels per cm². The lenticels range in size approximately 1.5 to 2.0 millimeters in height and from approximately 3.5 to 4.5 millimeters in width.
    • Lenticel color.—The lenticels have an orange color (RHS Greyed Orange N167 A).
    • Bark coloration.—The bark has a light brown to a grey color (RHS Brown N200 B or RHS Brown 201 A).
• 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 5.0 to 7.0 millimeters, and branches in their second growing season have a diameter from 7.0 to 9.0 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 of 45 degrees for the current season shoots and 70 degrees, from the horizontal axis, for the branches in their second growing season. This particular characteristic is not considered distinctive of the variety, however.
    • Internode length.—Generally between 14.0 and 18.0 millimeters for the current season shoots and between 19.0 and 23.0 millimeters for the branches in their second growing season.
    • Current seasons shoots.—.
    • Color.—The color of new shoot tips is considered light green (RHS Yellow Green 145 A) on lower part of new shoot tips, whereas the upper part is darker and colored in purple (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A).
    • Surface texture.—Smooth, without lenticel.
    • Mature branches.—.
    • Color of mature branches.—Brown (RHS Grey Brown N199 B).
    • Surface texture.—The surface texture of mature branches is rough, with small lenticels.
    • Lenticels.—The number of lenticels on mature branches reaches 4 lenticels per cm². The lenticels range in size approximately 1.0 to 1.5 millimeter in height and approximately 1.5 to 2.0 millimeters in width. The lenticels are stretched round in shape.
    • Lenticel color.—The lenticels on mature branches have a light orange to beige color (RHS Greyed Orange 165 C to RHS Greyed Orange 165 D).
• Leaves:
  • • Size.—Considered medium for the species. The ratio between the leaf length and the leaf width is equal to 3.24.
    • Leaf length.—Between 136.0 and 188.0 millimeters, without leaf petiole. The medium length is 168.2 millimeters.
    • Leaf width.—Between 43.0 and 53.0 millimeters. The medium width is 48.8 millimeters.
    • Leaf base shape.—Concave.
    • Leaf form.—Lanceolate.
    • Leaf tip form.—Caudate.
    • Leaf base form.—Acute.
    • Leaf color.—.
    • Upper leaf surface.—Green (RHS Green 137 A).
    • Lower surface.—A lighter green (RHS Yellow Green 147 B) than the upper leaf surface color.
    • Leaf texture.—Smooth and glabrous on both surfaces.
    • Leaf venation.—Pinnately veined.
    • Mid-vein.—.
    • Color.—The mid-vein or midrib is light green (RHS Yellow Green 150 D). The color may evolve with maturity.
    • Thickness.—Approximately 1.5 millimeters.
    • Lateral veins.—.
    • Color.—The lateral veins are considered a light green (RHS Yellow Green 150 D) similar to the midrib color.
    • Leaf margins.—The margins of the leaves is lightly undulating, with a slightly toothed shape.
    • 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 10.0 to about 10.8 millimeters.
    • Diameter.—About 1.5 to 2.0 millimeters.
    • Petiole color.—.
    • Upper petiole surface.—Green (RHS Yellow Green 145 A).
    • Lower surface.—Light green (RHS Yellow Green 145 B).
    • Leaf glands.—.
    • Size.—Considered medium. Their length is about 1.0 millimeter 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 color (RHS Green 144 B to RHS Green 144 A). On older leaves, leaf glands color turns to a dark brown color (RHS Grey Brown 199 A to RHS Grey Brown B).
    • 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 9.0 to 10.0 millimeters wide and approximately 18.0 to 21.0 millimeters long. The distribution of the flower buds is considered homogeneous on the trees.
    • Color.—This characteristic is dependent upon the proximity to bloom. At pre-floral stage of development (stage A), the bottom of the flower buds, or calyx, or flower receptacle, is of purple-brown color at the outer surface of the calyx (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A). The inner surface of the calyx is considered yellow green (RHS Yellow Green 146 B). Above the calyx, the corolla, formed by the petals, is generally of pink color (RHS Red Purple 65 B) on both faces. Petal 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 February or during the first two weeks in March. The first bloom was observed on Mar. 6, 2017.
    • Blooming time.—Considered medium-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 from Mar. 6 until Mar. 13, 2017, then from Feb. 28 until Mar. 3, 2018, then from Mar. 2 until Mar. 13, 2019.
    • Duration of bloom.—Medium. Approximately 5 to 12 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 38.0 to 40.0 millimeters.
    • Bloom quantity.—Considered abundant, approximately between 40 and 45 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 medium.
    • Length.—Generally between 20.0 to 22.0 millimeters.
    • Width.—Generally 18.0 to 20.0 millimeters.
    • Petal form.—Round-shaped.
    • Petal count.—Generally 5.
    • Petal texture.—Smooth and soft.
    • Petal color.—Both surfaces of the petal are colored in medium pink (RHS Red Purple 65 B or RHS Red Purple 65 C or RHS Red Purple 65 D) when young, becoming slightly darker until the end of blooming.
    • Fragrance.—Soft.
    • Petal claw.—.
    • Form.—The claw is considered to have a triangular form, narrower at the base.
    • Length.—Approximately 2.0 millimeters.
    • Width.—Approximately 1.5 millimeters at the base.
    • Color.—Generally a darker pink color (RHS Red Purple 61 B) than the petal color.
    • Petal margins.—Generally considered slightly undulating near the petal base.
    • Petal apex.—.
    • Generally.—The petal apices are generally wide-dome shaped.
    • Flower pedicel.—.
    • Length.—Considered medium and having an average length of approximately 2.0 millimeters.
    • Diameter.—Considered average, approximately 1.5 millimeters.
    • Color.—Green (RHS Yellow Green 145 A).
    • 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, or flower receptacle, is matt and considered golden orange (RHS Orange 24 A to RHS Orange 24 B). The outer surface of the calyx is considered of purple-color (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A).
    • Sepals.—.
    • Number.—Generally five sepals.
    • Shape.—Conic with a round tip.
    • Surface texture.—The outer surface has a short, fine pubescent texture.
    • Margins.—Smooth.
    • Size.—Medium.
    • Length.—Approximately 6.0 to 7.0 millimeters.
    • Width.—Approximately 4.0 to 6.0 millimeters.
    • Color.—At the stage F of blooming, both surfaces of the sepals are colored with a purple brown (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A) color.
    • Average number of stamens per flower.—Approximately 40 to 46 stamens per flower.
    • Anthers.—.
    • Generally.—Medium in length.
    • Color.—The color of the anthers evolves from an orange yellow color (RHS Yellow Orange 16 A to RHS Yellow Orange 16 B) to an orange red color (RHS Orange Red N34 A or RHS Greyed Red Group 178 A) with maturity.
    • Pollen production.—Pollen production is considered important and the pollen shows an orange yellow color (RHS Yellow 17 B to RHS Yellow 17 C) which may evolve with maturity. The present variety is considered auto-fertile (self-pollinating).
    • Filaments.—.
    • Size.—Medium length, between 11.0 and 15.0 millimeters in length. Filaments length is generally higher than the pistil's length, or equivalent.
    • Color.—Considered light pink (RHS Red purple 62 C to RHS Red Purple 62 D) to a slightly darker pink (RHS Red Purple 73 A to RHS Red Purple 73 B) depending on the maturity stage. The color evolves and becomes darker during the blooming.
    • Pistil.—.
    • Number.—Usually 1.
    • Generally.—Average in size.
    • Length.—Approximately 17.0 to 20.0 millimeters including the ovary. Generally smaller than stamen length (considered without the ovary).
    • Color.—Considered a pale green (RHS Yellow Green Group 151 D) at the beginning of blooming, the pistil color becomes lighter (RHS Yellow Green 150D) and may sometimes be colored with a slight pink (RHS Red Group 36 D) at the end of blooming.
    • Pubescence of the ovary.—Absent.
• Fruit:
  • • Maturity when described.—Firm in ripe conditions (shipping ripe).
    • Date of first picking.—Jul. 7, 2014.
    • Date of last picking.—The date of harvest varies slightly with the prevailing climatic conditions. The ‘NSRED15265 variety has a medium date of picking, and a grouped maturity. The maturity is grouped within 7 to 9 days and the harvest is generally performed in two runs. Last known picking times carry on from Jul. 7 to Jul. 15, 2014 then from Jul. 9 to Jul. 17, 2015, then from Jul. 9 to Jul. 16, 2016, then from Jul. 14 to Jul. 20, 2017, then from Jul. 16 to Jul. 22, 2018 and then from Jul. 18 to Jul. 25, 2019.
    • Size.—.
    • Generally.—Homogeneous in size. Generally, size 2A.
    • Average cheek diameter.—Approximately 62.0 to 68.0 millimeters.
    • Average axial diameter.—Approximately 60.0 to 70.0 millimeters.
    • Typical weight.—Generally about 140.0 to 165.0 grams. This characteristic is high dependent upon the prevailing cultural practices, and therefore is not particularly distinctive of the variety.
    • Fruit form.—.
    • Generally.—Round (in ventral view) and slightly flattened.
    • 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.
    • Mucron.—Absent.
    • Suture.—.
    • Color.—The suture has generally a similar red color to the whole fruit color (RHS Greyed Purple N 186 C).
    • Ventral surface.—.
    • Form.—Smooth.
    • Apex.—Non-prominent, generally slightly depressed.
    • Base.—Semi-flared, shallow.
    • Stem cavity.—Flared. Average depth of the stem cavity is about 10.0 to 12.0 millimeters. Average width is about 21.0 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.—Smooth and glabrous, without any pubescence.
    • Taste.—Semi-sweet, aromatic, with a high level of sugars.
    • Tendency to crack.—None observed.
    • Color.—.
    • Blush color.—This blush color is dark purple dark red (RHS Greyed Purple N186 C). The purple dark red blush covers 95 to 100% of the fruit skin surface on a purple red background (RHS Greyed Purple 187 B). 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 at the most 5% of the fruit skin surface, and is considered purple red (RHS Greyed Purple 187 B).
    • Lenticels.—Very thin lenticels are present.
    • Fruit stem.—Medium in length, approximately 8.0 millimeters.
    • Diameter.—Approximately 5.0 millimeters.
    • Color.—Pale green (RHS Yellow Green N144 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, sugary and very aromatic. The Brix is generally between 11 and 14.
    • Juice.—Very juicy at complete maturity.
    • Flesh color.—The flesh of the new variety ‘NSRED15265’ is colored in a bright dark pink red (RHS Red N34 A), also named blood red color.
• 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 31.0 millimeters.
    • Width.—Approximately 22.0 millimeters.
    • Diameter.—Approximately 18.0 millimeters.
    • Form.—Elliptic.
    • Base.—Straight.
    • Apex.—.
    • Shape.—The stone apex is short, pointed.
    • Stone cavity.—Considered medium size, with a 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 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 165 B to RHS Greyed Orange 165 C).
    • Tendency to split.—Splitting is absent, depending on climatic conditions between blooming period and stone hardening.
    • Kernel.—.
    • Size.—The kernel is considered medium.
    • Length.—Approximately 17.0 millimeters.
    • Width.—Approximately 10.0 millimeters.
    • Thickness.—Approximately 4.0 millimeters.
    • Form.—Considered flattened and elliptic.
    • Pellicle.—The pellicle of the kernel has a short pubescence.
    • Color.—The kernel skin is an orange-brown color (RHS Greyed Orange 164 A). The almond, which is the seed of the kernel, is white (RHS White 155 D). The kernel and its embryo are mature at the time of fruit maturity.
    • Use.—The subject variety ‘NSRED15265’ is considered to be a nectarine tree having a medium season of fruit maturity, and which produces fruits that are considered firm, attractively colored with a dark purple red. The high content of antioxidant in the red flesh convert fruits in a very healthy product. 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 red blood 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 red blood 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 dark pink red blood colored flesh, and a very high percentage of dark purple red blush on skin surface.