Biochemical Comparison of Seasonal Variations in Three Peach Cultivars Differing in Cold Hardiness1

Abstract

Leaves, shoots and flower buds of 3 peach cultivars differing in cold hardiness were compared biochemically throughout the year. The analyses included starch, reducing and total sugars, total protein, and total and individual amino acids, (a) Starch in leaves and shoots was low in early spring, but increased to peak concentrations in fall. Flower buds were devoid of starch, (b) Reducing and total sugars in leaves and shoots were high in early spring and decreased to a minimum in fall, but increased to a maximum in the shoots during winter. In flower buds reducing and total sugars were relatively high during winter and increased to peak concentrations in early spring, (c) Protein in leaves was high in spring but decreased to a minimum in summer, then steadily increased to a peak concentration in fall. A similar but less pronounced trend occurred in shoots. In flower buds a steady increase in protein occurred during dormancy and reached a maximum in early spring, (d) Total free amino acids in leaves was high in the spring, but decreased rapidly to a minimum in the fall. In shoots the level was relatively high in the spring, decreased in early summer, but increased to a maximum in late summer, then gradually leveled off during the fall and winter. In flower buds the level was relatively high in winter, but increased rapidly in early spring.Some correlation existed between the levels of the biochemical constituents and the degree of hardiness in the 3 peach cultivars.