ISHS Acta Horticulturae 636: XXVI International Horticultural Congress: Key Processes in the Growth and Cropping of Deciduous Fruit and Nut Trees
ORCHARD SYSTEMS FOR PILLAR AND UPRIGHT PEACH PHENOTYPES |
| Authors: | G.L. Reighard, D.R. Ouellette, K.H. Brock, R. Scorza |
| Keywords: | Prunus persica, tree training, columnar trees |
| Abstract:
The pillar (brbr) and upright (Brbr) peach phenotypes are growth forms with a columnar or upright habit, respectively. These genotypes exhibit compact canopies with vigorous vegetative growth, thus requiring management and training techniques different than standard (BrBr) peach trees. Advanced selections of a pillar ('KV930455') and an upright ('KV930278') phenotype were planted at 3 spacings together with 'Blazeprince', which has a normal growth habit. Tree spacings were 1.5, 2.0 and 4.0m in-row and 6m between rows. Nine treatments that included growth habit (i.e., genotype), training system and tree spacing were planted in 4-tree plots with border trees and arranged in a randomized complete block design with 4 replications. Three training treatments were imposed: open center, perpendicular V, and central leader. After the fourth leaf, cumulative yields for treatments ranged from 22.7 to 50.6 metric tons/hectare. The highest cumulative yields per hectare for each cultivar were at the 1.5m or 2.0m spacings. Pillar trees were significantly more productive on a per hectare basis at the 1.5 spacing; whereas upright trees produced more fruit per hectare at the 2.0 spacing. The standard, 'Blazeprince', had its highest yields at the 1.5m spacing when trained as a perpendicular V system. Yield efficiency was highest for the pillar and upright at spacings other than 4m and 1.5m, respectively. There were no spacing effects on yield efficiency for ‘Blazeprince’. Fruit quality parameters measured were largely genetically influenced. Light interception by the canopy at solar noon was significantly higher in the pillar and upright trees compared to ‘Blazeprince’. Full bloom of the three genotypes at the 4.0m spacing was slightly earlier than at the two other spacings in 2001 and 2002. Bloom dates were delayed 14-17 days in 2002 compared to 2001 indicating strong environmental effects. | |
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