Effects of Par on Plant Spacing in Relation to Yield Efficiency in Peach

Effects of PAR in relation with plant spacing in peach cultivar ‘Shan-i-Punjab’ during the year 2013-14 and 2014-15 were evaluated. The trees were trained to 4 different training systems and each system consisted of 2 spacings viz., 5 × 3 m and 5 × 2 m. Daily PAR was recorded at morning, midday and evening and it was found that irrespective of planting distance maximum light interception was recorded at midday hours. Plants spaced at 5 × 3m received more light inside the canopy during full day which directly influenced number of fruits per tree, number of picking, fruiting density, yield efficiency, relative pattern of fruit maturity whereas, fruit yield per hectare was maximum in 5 × 2 m. Bangladesh J. Bot. 50(3): 701-707, 2021 (September)

BIOMETRIC CHARACTERISTICS OF 'CATHERINE SEL 1' PEACH CULTIVAR IN SEMIARID ENVIRONMENT

In arid and semi-arid regions, irrigation application is mandatory for modern fruit growing, but the optimal irrigation application requires large amounts of water. In the context of global warming, water saving is a major objective. Therefore, deficit irrigation (DI) is an attractive alternative. The plant studied was thirteen years old ‘Catherine Sel.1’ peach trees. The trees were grafted on franc rootstock and planted in a 4 m x 3 m layout. Soil management was represented by clean cultivation both between tree rows and in the row. Fruit size and weight are important qualities and yield traits in peach (Prunus persica (L) Batsch), but the factors that influence fruit size and weight remain to be explored. The fruit biometrical characteristics was influenced by the irrigation regime, with the irrigated treatment with 100% AHI (T1) showing significantly (P <5%) higher differences versus T2 and T3. As with fruit biometrical characteristics, the fruit weight determined on the fruits of the studied treatments had the same trend. In this study, we investigated the impact of stress hydric on fruit size and weight at 'Catherine sel 1' peach cultivar in 2019-2020 period.

Effect of growth temperature levels on photosynthetic ability and fruit quality of ‘KU-PP2’, a new low-chill peach cultivar

Temperature is a crucial factor in growing plants in a forcing system. Our goal was to introduce low-chill peach cultivars into a forcing culture for early-season peach production with high fruit quality. However, the effects of growth temperature on plant growth and fruit quality during fruit development of the ‘KU-PP2’ peach cultivar have not yet been evaluated. ‘KU-PP2’ trees were grown in containers and transferred to phytotrons after fruit set in April 2019. The air temperature was set at 20, 25, and 30°C until harvest. Photosynthetic ability, leaf characteristics, and fruit quality under each treatment were determined. Long exposure to lower growth temperatures did not cause a change in leaf characteristics or a reduction in photosynthetic ability and fruit quality in the ‘KU-PP2’ peach cultivar. In contrast, the 30°C was found to be associated with a decrease in leaf size and thickness, stomatal density, photosynthesis, chlorophyll content, and fruit size. Conversely, the high-temperature condition enhanced coloration of the fruit peel and hastened the harvesting period, compared with the lower-temperature treatments. These results indicated that long-term exposure to the moderately high temperature of 30°C negatively affected plant growth and fruit productivity through changed leaf characteristics and a disrupted photosynthesis.