Quality attributes of white flesh peaches and nectarines grown under California conditions

A large variability in titratable acidity (TA), soluble solids concentratio n (SSC), SSC/TA, bruising and chilling injury (mealiness and flesh browning ) susceptibility and market life was determined for several white flesh pea ch and nectarine cultivars grown under San Joaquin Valley, California condi tions. During ripening "off" the tree, SSC did not increase nor did TA decr ease; thus, the SSC/TA remained the same. Because of this characteristic, t hese white flesh stone fruit can he eaten when still firm if hard texture i s not a concern. A ripening treatment at the retailer or shipping point is not advised due to fast softening and high bruising susceptibility. Because of their fast softening, careful postharvest temperature management is rec ommended. In general, a longer market life (at least 5 weeks), based on chi lling injury, was measured on the white flesh nectarine cultivars than on t he white flesh peach cultivars.