SUMMER PRUNING INCREASES SUGAR AND STARCH CONTENT OF PEACH FLOWER BUDS, FRUIT RETENTION AND SIZE

We investigated the effects of summer pruning on the quality of peach flower bud and on subsequent fruit development.
Flower bud growth and soluble carbohydrate and starch contents in flower buds and in the underlying piece of bark were analysed in unpruned and summer-pruned plants of cultivar Redhaven, from October to January.
Fruit abscission and equatorial fruit diameter were recorded from petal fall to harvest.
Yield per tree and the distribution of fruit size were recorded.
Both fresh and dry weight of buds of unpruned plants were greater than those of summer pruned trees.
Therefore the buds of summer-pruned plants began dormancy with lower water content.
The buds of pruned plants had higher soluble sugars and starch contents.
Soluble sugars content decreased from basal buds to middle and apical buds, respectively, while starch content increased.
The concentration of soluble sugars was seven fold in bark than in buds.
Fruit abscission was reduced by pruning while fruit growth was promoted, and the trees produced fewer but larger fruits.
The results indicate that pruning operations made during the summer season can modify the nutrient status of flower buds.

VI International Symposium on Temperate Fruit Growing in the Tropics and Subtropics

C. Vitagliano, S. Bartolini, M. Catania

carbohydrates, fruit development

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2001.565.15