The peach is one of the most economically important fruits species, due to its broad adaptability under different climatic conditions. However, it is necessary to know the chilling requirement of a cultivar in order to predict if it can be adapted to a certain place. The aim of this work was to select F2 peach genotypes of low chilling requirement. The work was carried out from May 2007 to January 2008. A total of 2055 genotypes, from 64 peach populations were observed. The genotypes number of each population varied from five to two hundred three. Two experiments were carried out: in the first one, peach adaptation was estimated through initial tree vigor, for screening, individuals which would be part of the second experiment; in this second one the chilling requirement of the progenies was studied through the detached twig methodology. The results obtained allowed to select fourty two low chill adapted F2 peach genotypes.
Prunus persica; dormancy; bud break
