Low Chill Stone Fruit Varieties from Sun World

You may not know that in addition to our traditional stone fruit breeding program near Bakersfield, CA,  Sun World R&D operates one of the most active low chill stone fruit breeding programs in the world,  Our low chill varieties are selected and thoroughly tested in the low chill Coachella Valley of California. Like other low chill regions, the Coachella Valley is an area where traditional stone fruit varieties cannot survive because winters are too warm for them to come out of dormancy. Sun World's low chill varieties are bred specifically for areas with warm winters. These varieties offer growers an opportunity to harvest fruit very early, at a time when no fresh stone fruit is available .  We are excited about new varieties under development; new plums, peaches, nectarines, and apricots are becoming available on a regular basis.

Read more about our low chill program 

Ongoing Studies: Antioxidant Activity of Red-Fleshed BLACK DIAMOND®  Plums.

Research over the past few decades suggests that the damage caused by oxidative stress may play a major role in advancing cancer, heart disease, arthritis, cataract formation, memory loss, and aging.  Antioxidants are a group of compounds that protect tissues, cells and important molecules such as proteins, lipids and DNA against oxidative stress. Furthermore, studies have shown that fruits and vegetables that are black, blue or red are rich in anthocyanins, the most potent group of antioxidants. 

Sun World R&D is participating in two studies to quantify antioxidant levels in our red fleshed BLACK DIAMOND^® plums.  Preliminary results from a study at Texas A&M University suggests that our red fleshed plums may be more powerful than blueberries in antioxidant activity.  Results of that study and one being conducted by the National 5-a-Day Program should be available soon.