ISHS Acta Horticulturae 322: I International Symposium on Training and Pruning of Fruit Trees
AN OVERVIEW OF PEACH TRAINING SYSTEMS AND THE APPLICATION OF PRUNING TECHNIQUES |
| Author: | C. S. Walsh |
| Abstract:
The production of peaches and nectarines has not increased at the same rate as apples. In the eastern United States, production is shifting from open-center, widely spaced plantings toward more intensive training systems. Typical orchards were once planted at about 6 x 6 m spacing. Plantings using close spacings combined with shoot tipping, vertical axis pruning and supported systems have been used in commercial orchards to increase orchard density. Intensive peach orchard design increases early yield but does not appear to increase maximum production. Under the climatic conditions of the eastern United States, cropping does not adequately control vegetative vigor during Stage II or after harvest. Consequently, peach trees still develop an inefficient, shaded canopy that requires excessive hand pruning. | |
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