The extension service of the Israeli ministry of agriculture has unveiled three new stone-fruit varieties.
The new fruits have been bred by Sefi Ben-Dor at his fruit farm in Upper Galilee. He is widely considered Israel’s most innovative breeder and has an exclusive marketing rights agreement with Marks & Spencer in the UK and already grows several lines for the supermarket, which are handled by Agrexco.
Shark Teeth is an elongated red and yellow plum and Crocodile Dandy is a juicy watermelon-coloured plum. Pita-Shaped Peach, pictured, is in fact a nectarine with pale skin and a distinctive flavour and aroma.
The new lines are aimed at the export market and have been bred taking into account taste preferences of consumers in different countries, to appeal to UK consumers’ preference for sharper, juicy fruit and that of the population in the Mediterranean basin for crispy, yet sweet fruits.
The three lines are the result of special attention during the breeding process to taste and internal quality as well as size and shape.
Meanwhile, in Italy fruit research institute CRA has developed a new, white-skinned, white-fleshed peach, Ghiaccio.
The fruit’s name means ice in Italian and it has smooth skin, a very high sugar content - up to 17-20 brix - and high levels of disease and mildew resistance making it suitable for organic production.
Yields are high and ripe fruit can last 25 days on the tree without deterioration in flesh consistency or sugar content.
Shelf-life post harvest, if stored at the correct temperature, is also longer than ordinary peaches, breeders Luigi Conte and Antonino Nicotra confirm.
And the fruit transports as well if not better than much firmer fruits such as pears or apples.
A consortium has been set up to propagate and market the fruit and strong international interest is expected.
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