GROWING PEACHES AND NECTARINES IN HIGH DENSITY PLANTING SYSTEMS

In a commercial orchard, established in a morainic soil in the province of Verona (Northern Italy), observations were carried out during a five years period (1975 – 1979) on three peach (Springcrest, Dixired, Redhaven) and nectarine (Early Sungrand, Flavortop, Stark Redgold) varieties.

The trees, budded on to "INRA Saint Julien GF 655 2", were spaced at 4 x 2 m (i.e. 1,250 trees/ha) and trained as free spindles.

The growth of the trees was recorded by measuring the height and the spread of the canopy, and the trunk girth at 15 cm obove the bud union. Observations were also carried out on cropping behaviour of the trees (yield/tree, average fruit weight, extension of red overcolour of fruit, soluble solid content).

In the third growing season the trees reached the expected size, with a height of about 3.5 m, and a spread completely filling the space between the trees in the row.

Trees started to crop in the second growing season (1976). The highest cumulative yield (from 1976 to 1979) was reached by Stark Redgold nectarine variety (108.9 t/ha). Lower, but nevertheless very satisfactory yields, were obtained with other varieties: Flavortop 103.6; Redhaven 77.0; Early Sungrand 74.1; Springcrest 61.7 t/ha. Dixired, with a yield of 44.7 t/ha, confirmed that it is not a suitable variety for the climatic conditions of Verona area.

Fruits sized well und were of satisfactory colour.