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Effects of 8 peach seedling rootstocks on tree growth, survival, and fruit yield of ‘Redhaven’ and ‘Loring’ peach scion cultivars were tested in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Lovell seedling rootstock was a standard for comparison. Six years of data indicated that Siberian C was not an acceptable rootstock because tree survival and fruit yield were low. Halford was equivalent to Lovell for tree growth, fruit yield, and survival. Fruit size was unaffected by rootstock. Nemaguard and 2 North Carolina selections were resistant to root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) but they were not resistant to ring nematodes [Criconemella xenoplax (Raski) Luc and Raski]. Soil fumigation improved tree survival in nematode-infested soil.

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An apple breeding program was begun in Arkansas in 1966 with objectives including the development of early maturing cultivars adaptable to warm environments. Several advanced selections have achieved this objective and are briefly described here prior to possible introduction as new cultivars. AA-50 (PCR3-120 × PCR4-56) mature 65–75 days after bloom, are moderate size (120–160 g), round, tart, juicy; red over green/white ground color. Fruit are similar to `Jonathan'. AA-63 (Jersey Mac × AA-11) mature 70–85 days after bloom, are moderate size (130–180 g), round, somewhat tart but with good sugars for maturation season, are dark red/purple striped with pronounced lenticels on a green/white ground color. AA-18, aka `Arkcharm' (NJ123249 × NJ136055) ripen 85–100 days after bloom, are medium to large size (165–195 g), slightly conic, bright red on green ground/yellow color, are very crisp and firm, tart with good flavor, good shelf-life for season (7–21 days) and extended harvest period (two to three harvests). AA-44 (NJ674016 × NJ40), mature 90–105 days after bloom, are large (180–210 g), round, red with some dark red striping with green ground color; fruit have moderate acid content and are relatively sweet, require two to three harvests and have a storage life of 2–4 weeks. AA-64 (SpurGold × AA-26) mature 110–120 days after bloom, are yellow, conic, russet free, often have a pink blush, are moderate to large size (160–200 g), firm, subacid, and sweet.

The Arkansas apple breeding program began in 1966 with objectives to develop high quality, dual purpose, adapted cultivars with a range of harvest dates and resistance to spring diseases. The program has two goals: 1) to develop red colored apples which are large, tart, firm and ripen between June and August; and, 2) develop yellow apples as a replacement for `Golden Delicious' which are large, typey, without russet and with a range of maturities from July through September. Apples with commercial potential are AA-18 (red, ripens 1-July), AA-44 (red, ripens 15-July), AA-58 (yellow, ripens 29-Aug.), AA-65 (yellow, ripens 11-Sept.) and AA-62 (yellow, ripens 15-Sept.). Data on time of bloom, harvest, fruit size, and fruit storage tests will be presented.