New Gulfcrimson Peach Variety Released

If we are truly seeing long-term shifts in weather patterns that result in warmer winters, this new variety of peach could be an important economic variety for growers -- particularly in the southern U.S.

ARS Releases Gulfcrimson Peach to Nurseries

By Sharon Durham
July 23 , 2008

A new peach variety that requires less winter chilling will give growers in the southeastern lower coastal plain an edge--and consumers a more reliable supply--of early summertime peaches.

The new variety, called...(complete news release here).

Fruit and Tree Nuts Outlook

The USDA has released the new

Fruit and Tree Nuts Outlook

It includes important information for the fruit and nuts industry.

Controlling Ripening

This article about controlling the chemical processes of ripening fruits is lengthy but interesting. Consumer perceptions heavily influence plant breeders. We have selected for varieties with longer shelf-life rather than better flavor or better nutrition. Gaining control of the ripening process can help to reverse that trend.

Reining In Ripening

Researchers are learning to control key biochemical processes that affect the quality of fruits and vegetables

Sarah Everts

FAST-FORWARD to a dreary winter day. The gorgeous red tomato that you've just bitten into may not taste as good as it looks. Or maybe its consistency is wrong. It's simply not as good as the tomatoes you've grown in your garden in past summers or bought fresh at farmers' markets. Ditto for apples, strawberries, and peaches.

In your frustration, you might blame the growers or distributors. After all, the global multi-billion-dollar fruit industry wants to disarm the reality of the seasons to make ripe fruit available anywhere, anytime. To achieve this goal, most produce has been bred for shelf life, yield, and shipping durability—so that jet-lagged fruit looks good to the buyer even after extensive travel. While trying to optimize a fruit's suitability for ...(complete article here).