Peach and Nectarines (Prunus persica):
- Climatic and Soil Requirements:
- Ideal for warm temperate climates, also grown in subtropics.
- Limiting factors: Low winter temperature, spring frost, high humidity.
- Soil: Sandy soils with depth of 7.0 m, pH 5.8 to 6.8.
- Propagation and Planting:
- Propagation: T-budding, leafy succulent soft wood and hardwood cuttings.
- Rootstocks: Seeds from late cultivars, nematode-resistant varieties.
- Training and Pruning:
- Systems: Modified leader, open centre, V-shaped tatura trellis, pillar, high-density vase.
- Pruning: Annual heading back, thinning of side branches.
- Crop Regulation and Harvest:
- Thinning to regulate heavy flowering and fruiting.
- Maturity indices: Days after full bloom, fruit size, fruit firmness, pit discolouration.
***