Good fruit quality is one of the most important objectives in peach breeding, it has a direct relationship with the market and consumer preferences. With regard to quality, it means to obtain productive plants, with large and firm fruits, good flavor and attractive color. However, Brazilian peach still does not present good characteristics, mainly regarding firmness, when compared with the international peach patterns. The aim of this study was to evaluate, to select and to indicate some peach genotypes that produce fruit with good quality and non-melting flesh, for future use as male parent in the Peach Breeding Program of Universidade Federal de Viçosa. The studies were carried out at the Experimental Station of Aula Dei (CSIC), Zaragoza - Spain, during the period of May to August in 2006. About 687 seedlings, from 17 peach populations [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch], were evaluated. Based on the obtained results, pollen from 'Crown Princess' and from seedlings VADAC 0027, VADAC 0052, VADAC 0063 and VADAC0065 could be recommended as parent in the Peach Breeding Program of UFV, aiming to obtain non-melting flesh fruits, with good quality traits.
Prunus persica; peach breeding; fruit texture
