Vegetative Growth, Yield, and Fruit Quality of Peach as Influenced by Dormant Pruning, Summer Pruning, and Summer Topping

Abstract

Three peach [ Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] cultivars varying in age and vigor were dormant pruned, summer pruned, or summer topped for 2 or 3 years, depending on the cultivar. Pruning treatments had little effect on trunk enlargement and shoot growth of mature 4 Sun queen’ and ‘Loring’ trees. Pruning or topping in June and/or July improved light penetration in tree centers. Pruning or topping in July or June and July stimulated shoot growth of young ‘Cresthaven’ trees more than dormant pruning the season following treatment. Pruning treatment had no consistent effects on yield, fruit size, or date of maturity. Red color and soluble solids of ‘Loring’ fruit were not effected by pruning treatment, but flesh firmness was increased for fruit from summer topped trees. ‘Sunqueen’ fruit quality was effected less by pruning treatment than by crop load, canopy position, or harvest date. Red color and soluble solids were greater for fruit from the tree top and on moderately cropping trees than those from the tree interior or trees with a heavy crop. Harvest date influenced all aspects of fruit quality, but the effects were not consistent for both years.