INFLUENCE OF PRUNING ON THE GROWTH OF PEACH FRUIT UNDER IRRIGATION AND SEASONAL TIME

Abstract

Peach yield at Jerez, Zac. has been mainly limited by a deficient tree management. At this region, farmers that know the benefits of pruning peach trees were 29% at the irrigated zone and 48% at the rainfed zone. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of pruning and the environ­mental condittón on the fruit growth. In 1985, under irrigated and rainfed conditions, the effects of cuttlng the productive shoot (CRH; at 0, 25 and 50%); taking off or not the chifons and bouquets
(CB), and time of pruning (EP, during winter or sprin9), were evaluated. Five fruits were collec­ted from the midle part around the tree at 11 sampling times. The variables measured were: fruit weight (PF) and fruit diameters (equatorial, DE; and polar, DP). Results indicated that the lnteraction of 25% CRM, wlthout CB and pruning during winter, increased significantly the PF under irrigation. Under rainfed conditions the best results - were observed with the interaction of 50% CRH, without CB and pruning during winter.