Zilli: new peach cultivar with high quality fruits and unusual flesh color

Abstract

Zilli is a peach cultivar originated from a mutation of the cv. Chimarrita, which resulted in fruits with two color flesch
– yellow with a white strip along the suture. The mutation was found in 2005 at the farm of Agenor Zilli, in Descanso, SC, Brazil
(alt.: 450 m above sea level). In 2008 it was introduced and evaluated at Videira Experiment Station, in Videira, SC (alt.: 830 m
above sea level). Besides the changes in flesh color the mutation also anticipated the flowering in 7-20 days and up to 9 days in
the maturation time compared to Chimarrita, probably due to a reduction in chilling hours requirement. Consequently, Zilli is
more susceptible to damages of late frosts in cold regions but it will probably have a better adaptation in warmer areas (< 200
hours bellow 7.2 ºC), where Chimarrita does not have a good performance. No other changes were observed in consequence
of the mutation. Because of the high quality fruits and the highly unusual flesh color, Zilli has a good market potential, mainly
in low chilly areas.