Abstract
To further improve the self-fruiting ability, storability, and enhance flavor quality of the yellow-fleshed peach cultivar Jinhuangjin (JHJ), the Jinhuangjin 2 (JHJ 2) and Jinhuangjin 8 (JHJ 8) cultivars were bred via crossbreeding and bud selection, respectively, and derived from the JHJ cultivar. In this study, the main growth stages, morphological characteristics, contents of total phenolics and total flavonoids of ‘JHJ 2’ and ‘JHJ 8’ were compared with those of the maternal cultivar JHJ, and an analysis of the volatile compounds of ‘JHJ 2’ and ‘JHJ 8’ were conducted. The JHJ 2 cultivar matured relatively late and the harvest period was delayed until early September. The morphological characteristics of the JHJ 2 cultivar significantly differed from those of JHJ and JHJ 8 cultivars in terms of flower color, flower type, stigma position compared with anther, self-pollination ability, and angle at the leaf apex. The JHJ 8 cultivar had smaller flowers and leaves but larger fruits compared with those of the JHJ and JHJ 2 cultivars. The pulp of the JHJ 8 cultivar contained the highest amount of flavonoid and phenolics concentrations. According to the principal component analysis (PCA) of data based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, the contents of volatile compounds were most abundant in pulp of the JHJ 2 cultivar and highlighted the distinctions of the breeding selection (JHJ 2 and JHJ 8 cultivars) from the maternal JHJ cultivar. The present study aimed to provide insights into the characteristics of the newly developed JHJ 2 and JHJ 8 cultivars as well as antioxidants and contents of volatile compounds. The results of this study offer insights for improving the later-maturing yellow-fleshed peach cultivar.