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The Influence of Tree Population and Summer Pruning on Productivity, Growth, and Quality of Peaches
1
Abstract
Three cultivars of peach (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch) were grown for 9 years at 3 different densities under 3 training systems. Those spaced at 1157 and 868 trees/ha were mechanically summer pruned annually to predetermined forms; trees spaced at 397 trees/ha were pruned conventionally. While yields during the first few years reflected tree density, the cumulative yield gap among treatments narrowed annually beginning in the 6th growing season. The usually lower production from mature trees spaced at 1157 and 868 trees/ha was attributed in part to non-selective, summer hedging. The effectiveness of various pest control chemicals did not differ among treatments.