Genetic progress in 53 years of the Peach Breeding Program of Embrapa: Fresh market cultivars

Abstract A peach breeding program started in 1963, at the Experiment Station of Pelotas, nowadays Embrapa Clima Temperado, whose primary aim was developing cultivars adapted to mild winter conditions. Its first priority was to obtain cultivars of canning type fruits, and over the years, the fresh market cultivars acquired equal importance. This article analyzes the data of 84 fresh market cultivars, obtained in Pelotas, from 1964 to 2017, focusing on the following parameters: time of ripening, fruit development period, average fruit mass, number of fruits per tree, productivity per plant and total soluble solids. First, the data were tabulated, divided into two periods (1964-1984 and 1985-2017), and the descriptive statistical analysis was performed, followed by an analysis via mixed models and estimates of genetic progress via meta-analysis. The main results revealed a reduced fruit development period of the fresh market peaches belonging to that program. It was also observed a significant spread of the time of ripening (end of September or beginning of October until January), with a slight tendency for earliness. Genetic gain was observed for yield corresponding to 1.17 and 2.25% per year, for 1964-1984 and 1985-2017, respectively.