Peach tree named ‘NJ353’

A new and distinct peach variety of Prunus persica named ‘NJ353’ is provided. This variety is distinguished from other peach varieties by its unique combination of showy flowers, fruit that ripen in late-season, attractive fruit with a yellow-orange ground color, freestone fruit with a juicy, melting texture and moderately acidic flavor, and good production of firm fruit that maintain their eating quality following cold storage.

Latin name of genus and species of the plant claimed:Prunus persicaL.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of peach tree named ‘NJ353’. Our new tree resulted from crossing ‘Biscoe’ as the seed parent with ‘Fairtime’ peach tree, as the pollen parent. The new variety differs from seed parent ‘Biscoe’ (unpatented) in that the new variety has large, showy flowers and firm fruit that ripen in late-season, while the seed parent has small, nonshowy flowers and comparatively soft fruit that ripen in the latter part of mid-season. The new variety differs from pollen parent ‘Fairtime’ (unpatented) in that the new variety has more cold tolerance and has consistently developed a greater percentage of red over color than the pollen parent. The resulting tree was selected when growing in a cultivated area as the 122ndtree in the 47throw of Block G in Cream Ridge, N.J.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The ‘NJ353’ variety is distinguished from other peach varieties due to the following unique combination of characteristics:Attractive round fruit with a slightly depressed apex point.Fruit with an attractive yellow-orange ground color.Good production of firm fruit that ripen in late-season.Fruit have above average eating quality following cold storage.

The variety was asexually reproduced at the Rutgers Fruit Research and Extension Center in Cream Ridge, N.J. Asexual reproduction of this new variety by budding onto ‘Lovell’ rootstock (unpatented) shows that the foregoing characteristics are so reproduced.

The following detailed description concerns the original tree, ‘NJ353’. The original tree and asexual progeny have been observed growing in a cultivated area in Cream Ridge, N.J. Certain characteristics of this variety, such as growth and color, may change with changing environmental conditions (such as, light, temperature, moisture, nutrient availability) or other factors. Color descriptions and other terminology are used in accordance with their ordinary dictionary descriptions, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Color designations are made with reference to The Royal Horticultural Society (R.H.S.) Colour Chart.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description of the ‘NJ353’ variety is based on observations of an asexually reproduced tree. The observed tree was nine years of age and growing on ‘Lovell’ seedling rootstock (unpatented) in Research Block C in Cream Ridge, N.J.Scientific name:Prunus persicaL.Parentage:

Vigor:Moderately vigorous.Plant hardinessGrowth of plants has only been observed in zone 6b.zone:Dormant flower budAt least to −15° C.cold tolerance:Overall shape:Spreading.Height:Slightly below average as compared to other peachcultivars. For example, measurement of a typicalgrafted tree on ‘Lovell’ seedling rootstock(unpatented) at nine years after planting shows anaverage height of 3.4 meters when grown in CreamRidge, New Jersey.Width:Average as compared to other peach cultivars. Forexample, measurement of a typical grafted tree on‘Lovell’ seedling rootstock (unpatented) at nineyears after planting shows an average width of 5.2meters when grown in Cream Ridge, New Jersey.Caliper:Nine year old tree is 51 cm in circumferencemeasured at 20 cm from the ground.PollinationSelf-pollinatingrequirements:Trunk and branches:

Texture:Glabrous.Sheen:Young leaves semi-glossy with a flat finish on theunderside.Length:About 167 mm to 190 mm, averaging about 174mm including the petiole.Width:About 34 mm to 46 mm, averaging about 39 mm.Petiole:Averaging 10.6 mm long and about 1.5 mm indiameter.Margin:Serrulate.Margin undulation:Slight.Form:Elliptic.Apex:Acuminate, curved downward.Base:Cuneate.Venation:Pinnate.Glands:Number:About 3 to 6, averaging about 4.Position:Located on the leaf margin and petiole.Size:Length averaging 1.4 mm and width averaging 1.1mm.Form:Reniform.Stipules:None observed on mature leaves.Leaf Color:Upper leaf surface:Between green (RHS 137a) and yellow-green (RHS147a).Lower leaf surface:Yellow-green (RHS 147b).Vein:Greyed-yellow (RHS 160c).Pubescence:None.Flowers:

Size:Large, averaging about 6.9 cm long, 7.2 cm wideparallel to the suture and 7.3 cm wideperpendicular to the suture.Typical weight:201 g.Form:Longitudinal section:Nearly round.Traverse section:Round.Suture:Very shallow, extending from the base to apex.Ventral surface:Typically smooth.Base:Round.Apex:Flat, apex point slightly depressed.Stem:Average length of 6.1 mm and an averagediameter of 5.6 mm.Skin:Thickness:Average.Surface:Regular with short pubescence.Tenacity:Average.Astringency:None.Tendency to crack:Low.Color:Mottled greyed-purple (RHS 183a) over a red(RHS 46a) blush; ground color yellow-orange(RHS 16b).Fruit Properties:Flesh color:Yellow-orange (between RHS 16a and RHS 16b).Flesh adhesion:Freestone.Juice:Moderate.Texture:Firm, but melting.Fibers:Not noticeable.Ripens:Between September 4 and September 17 at CreamRidge, New Jersey.Flavor:Average to above average, moderately acidic.Soluble solids:12.8%.Aroma:Very slight.Eating quality:Good.Keeping quality:Above average. Has held its flavor and firmnessfor at least 21 days in cold storage at 1° C. to4° C.Shipping quality:Very good. Fruit are generally very firm atharvest. No bruising or scaring disorders havebeen observed.Usage:Dessert.Market:Local and long distance.Productivity:Good. Trees have produced a crop in 9 out of 11years and a full crop in 4 out of 11 years at CreamRidge, New Jersey.Stone: