Nectarine skin speckling is associated with flesh soluble solids content

Abstract

The relationship between skin speckling and flesh soluble solids content (SSC) was investigated for 45 nectarine [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] genotypes from the University of Florida breeding program. Skin speckling as measured on firm ripe fruit by count of speckles cm-2 and a 0 to 5 speckle rating was significantly correlated with SSC (r = +0.72 and +0.78 respectively). There was significant variation among genotypes for speckle number, speckle rating and SSC with broad sense heritabilities estimated as 0.67, 0.79 and 0.58 respectively. The term sugar speckles is commonly used to describe this skin speckling and accurately reflects the association between the two traits. The challenge for breeders is to increase eating quality without adversely affecting fruit appearance.