A. Zhivondov1, S. Savchovska1, S. Pandova1, D. Petkova2*, P. Doykina3, I. Manolov4

1Department of Breeding and Genetic Resources, Fruit Growing Institute, 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
2Department of Biotechnology, Technological Faculty, University of Food Technologies, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
3Department of Catering and Tourism, Economics Faculty, University of Food Technologies, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
4Department of Agrochemistry and Soil Science, Faculty of Agronomy, Agricultural University, 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria

(Manuscript received 3 June 2021; accepted for publication 26 July 2021)

Abstract. The article presents a three-year traceability (2018, 2019, 2020) of biometric results of the fruits of eight peach and nectarine varieties. The study covers the fifth, sixth and seventh vegetation period from the period of full fruiting. Varieties included in this investigation were “Filina” (peach, clingstone), “Gergana” (nectarine, clingstone), “July Lady” (peach, semi-clingstone), “Ufo 4” (flat peach, semi-clingstone), “Laskava” (peach, freestone), “Morsiani 90” (nectarine, freestone), “Flat Queen” (flat peach, freestone), and “Evmolpiya” (peach, freestone). The experimental collection plantation was created in the spring of 2014 on the territory of the Fruit Growing Research Institute, Plovdiv, (lat. 42.10384828045957 and long. 24.72164848814686). The data analysis shows that the varieties “Laskava” and “Evmolpiya” produce fruits with the highest weight – 319.60 g and 303.60 g, respectively. Medium weight is registered in the “Morsiani 90” variety (226.07 g) and the “July Lady” variety (193.87 g). “UFO 4” is characterized with the smallest fruits – an average of 143.83 g and the highest flesh yield. Considering the fact that the “Filina” variety is very early ripening, its fruits can be treated as large for the season – 170.21 g. The stones of the “July Lady”, “Morsiani 90” and “Evmolpiya” varieties have the largest average mass