PERFORMANCE OF PEACHES IN HIGH DENSITY SYSTEMS
The yield of four-year-old 'Newhaven'/Halford peach trees in six different high density (1690 trees/ha) training systems was as much as 20% to 40% greater per ha than on conventional open-center-trained controls (570 trees/ha). The systems having a narrowly defined "V"-shaped canopy produced the highest yields (up to 56 t/ha). However, the systems with upright scaffold branches had yields similar to the control trees.
The yields of all high density systems in the fifth year declined 35% to 60% from their respective fourth year levels, while yields of the control system remained stable.
Fruit size was not influenced by training system, except in the bottom third of the canopy where fruit were smallest in the system with a vertical tree wall despite its having the lowest yield also.
The relationship of these responses to light interception and training methods will be discussed.
Taylor, B.H. and Geisler-Taylor, D. (1989). PERFORMANCE OF PEACHES IN HIGH DENSITY SYSTEMS. Acta Hortic. 243, 361-364
DOI: 10.17660/ActaHortic.1989.243.50
https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1989.243.50
DOI: 10.17660/ActaHortic.1989.243.50
https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1989.243.50