A Mexican institute has introduced a new peach variety with higher yields, better tolerance to disease and a ripening period that better avoids exposure to hail damage.

The National Research Institute for Forestry, Agriculture and Livestock (INIFAP) has introduced the "Irina" variety to growers in Alzayanca, Tlaxcala, and the fruit will also be validated in the sierra regions of Puebla, Queretaro and Zacatecas.

In a release, the Secretary of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fishing and Food (SAGARPA) said the variety ripened in the first half of July, which in addition to carrying weather-related benefits, also helped reduce effects from brown rot fungus.

It highlighted INIFAP had recorded average yields of 10 metric tons (MT) per hectare for five-year-old trees, while disease tolerance had led to a 10% reduction in costs for growers due to less use of agri-chemicals.

The institute also believes the variety has strong commercial potential, with an attractive yellow appearance with very little fuzziness, and a yellow-orange pulp inside with an "pleasant" flavor and a medium-sized stone.

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