Contender

Orig. at Agr. Expt. Sta., North Carolina. Bred by F.E. Correll in 1974 selected in 1977, tested as NCT 544, and introduced in 1988 by D.J. Werner, J.R. Ballington, and D.F. Ritchie. Winblo × complex parentage of North Carolina selections. <b>Fruit:</b> large; round; skin 70% bright red over yellow ground color; flesh yellow and resistant to browning, firm, melting, freestone. Ripens 21 days after Redhaven. Flowers nonshowy; leaf glands reniform. <b>Tree:</b> superior flower bud hardiness; large number of flower buds; moderate resistance to bacterial spot; more vigorous than Redhaven but similar growth habit. Chilling requirement 1050 h.