Tree growth, fruit quality and yield attributes as affected by tree spacing and varieties of peaches/nectarine under temperate climate

Abstract

The present study was carried out at experimental farm of ICAR-CITH, Srinagar to investigate influence of two different planting densities (2.5 m × 2.5 m and 3.0 m × 3.0 m) on tree growth, fruit quality and yield attributes of four peach/nectarine (Fantasia, Crest Heaven, Red Globe & Gloheaven) during five year period (2009-2013). The results of current study clearly indicated that maximum trunk crosssectional area (TCSA) of tree (51.96 cm2 ), higher number of flowers (428.32), fruit number per plant (257.66), fruit length (54.77 mm), fruit weight (82.88 g), fruit pulp thickness (22.66 mm), fruit shape index (1.02), yield (21.84 kg/tree, 35.12 t/ha) and yield efficiency (21.73 kgcm-2 ), TSS (15.34 oB) and TSS/acidity (50.92) were recorded at wider spacing 3 m × 3 m. Whereas, titratable acidity (0.320%) and ascorbic acid content (6.65 mg/100g) was maximum in closer plant spacing (2.5 m × 2.5 m). Among variety, maximum trunk cross-sectional area, yield and yield efficiency was recorded in Gloheaven, maximum number of flowers, fruits, TSS/acidity and lowest acidity in Red Globe, maximum fruit length and diameter in Fantasia, maximum fruit pulp thickness, fruit weight, TSS and ascorbic acid was recorded in Crest Heaven. The spacing and varietal interaction was also found significant for no. of flower, fruit per plant, fruit length, diameter, weight, yield, yield efficiency, TSS, acidity and ascorbic acid.