ARS | Publication request: STONE FRUIT BREEDING AND PRODUCTION IN KOREA

Submitted to: Fruit Varieties Journal
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: December 10, 1997
Publication Date: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Korea is about the size of Georgia and has a similar size peach industry, except that most farms are one acre or less in size. The climate is similar to Blacksburg, Virginia. Most peaches grown in Korea are white fleshed with low acid flavor. There is only one breeding program for peach and plum in Korea. The National Horticultural Research Institute has released four peaches and one nectarine since beginning breeding in 1957.

Technical Abstract: Korea has a peach industry similar in acreage to that of Georgia, but with many small growers. Most varieties grown there are white fleshed, low acid and clingstone. Many are old Japanese varieties. Breeding has been conducted since 1957 by the National Horticultural Research Institute at Suwon. They have released four peaches and one nectarine. Most important have been 'Yumyeong' peach and 'Cheonhong' nectarine. Additional breeding is needed to develop prime, higher quality and more disease resistant peaches, as well as adapted plums and apricots.