With the exception of Summer Beaut, plant patents have expired on all of these selections. The number one criterion for a nectarine variety is that it must fruit consistently in the growing area. A variety cannot be commercially profitable without successful cropping. The second most important characteristic of a variety is the ability to adequately size its fruits. An outstanding variety must also possess a number of other attributes such as attractive skin and flesh color, fruit shape, low percentage of split pits, and acceptable flavor.
Flavor becomes especially important when fruits are marketed locally.
A number of nectarine varieties have been tested in southern Alabama but very few are being grown commercially. Armking is the leading variety but is rapidly losing popularity because of lack of overall fruit quality. They may have potential but will probably have limited value because of early flowering that usually leads to crop loss by freezes. Sunlite fruits lack overall quality. Combined with early flowering, this selection is largely relegated to limited home use in the southernmost areas.