INFLUENCE OF PLANTING SEASON, FERTILIZATION AND PRUNING AT PLANTING TIME ON THE INITIAL PEACH TREE GROWTH UNDER RAINFED CONDITIONS

Abstract

In order to improve the initial growth of peach trees (IGPT) planted under rainfed conditions, an experiment was established in 1984. Two planting seasons (PS), three doses of fertilization (DF) with nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) and two pruning levels at planting time (PLPT), were evaluated. In 1985, the IGPT was significantly improved when the trees were planted during the summer rainy season. This trend was maintained in 1986 and 1987, but it was not significant between PS. The IGPT was significantly improved when N, P and K were added ata dose of 25 kg ha^-1 of each element. The influence of PLPT was no significant on the initial tree growth.