Testing low chill peaches and nectarines in subtropical and temperate Queensland, Australia

Abstract

Subtropical or low-chill stonefruit species are bred at the Maroochy Research Facility in Nambour, Queensland. Superior clones are evaluated in different climatic regions throughout southern Queensland and northern New South Wales by co-operating growers. There is variation in flowering time, harvest date and fruit characteristics depending on the number of chill units (CU) accumulated on site. Cultivars at low chill sites bloom and fruit earlier than cultivars at high chill sites. Fruit shape also changes with location. Results are presented for low and medium chill peach and nectarine selections grown at Nambour (200 CU), Pike’s Creek (650 CU) in inland Queensland and Applethorpe (>1,000 CU) on the Granite Belt.