FRUIT PRODUCTION AND FRUIT SIZE IN HIGH DENSITY PEACH ORCHARDS

The correlation between tree growth and fruit production and between fruit size was studied.
Studies were carried on over six years (1990–1996) with “Benishimizu” peach grafted on the common rootstock (Prunus persica THUNB.) established in a well-drained sandy loam soil.
In 1990, trees were planted at 4 x 2m (1250 trees/ha) and 4 x 1m (2500 trees/ha) and trained to a central leader.
The quantity of tree growth was estimated as dry matter weight by using a single regression formula.
We investigated the relationships between fruit production and several factors, including tree growth, increment of tree growth in previous year, number of fruits per a tree and average fruit weight.

In all combinations, we compared quadratic with linear regression formulae, and consistently found a correlation for a quadratic than linear relationship.
As far as fruit production and fruit size were concerned, there was no correlation between the thinning rate producing maximum fruit production and maximum average fruit weight.
To achieve maximum fruit production, it is necessary to decrease the thinning rate less than that which results in a maximum average fruit weight.

International Symposium on Growth and Development of Fruit Crops

Y. Furukawa

Prunus persica, fruit production, fruit size, fruit weight, thinning rate, fruit thinning, peach, tree growth

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2000.527.5