A new variety with high tree vigour, productivity and cropping reliability
Fruit quality
P7-38 has oval, firm fruit with an average size of 4.2 cm in length, 3.1 cm in width and weight of 37g. Skin colour is red/purple violet (83B*) which has a slight glossiness with bloom. The yellow orange flesh is juicy and slightly woolly, and the flavour combines a low-medium level of sweetness and acidity. P7-38 has an average Brix of 13.8°.
Production period
The P7-38 season starts with leaf burst in late March, blooms in mid-April, one week before Victoria, with fruit harvest is early July, 6-7 weeks earlier than Victoria. The average fruit yield for P7-38 is 20-30 t/ha in semi-intensive systems, which is similar to Opal. Fruit storage is also considered to be similar to Opal.
Growth habit
P7-38 has high tree vigour which is upright and spreading, reaching an average height of 4 m and 2.2 m in width. The average trunk diameter is 10.3 cm (30 cm above soil) with smooth brown (200C*) bark with horizontal greyed orange (163C*) stripes. P7-38 grows successfully in the UK climate (UK hardiness Zone 8). P7-38 has mature oval, alternate green leaves (upper surface 147A, lower surface 147B*) averaging 9 cm in length, 7.1 cm in width . During blooming P7-38 has whorled white (N155D*) flowers with five petals averaging 1.5 cm length, 1.3 cm width and diameter of 2.3 cm.
Disease resistance
No noted susceptibility or resistance to diseases or pests.
*Colours are based on the RHS Colour Chart
For more information contact licensing [at] niab.com (Malling Fruits)