The Relationship Among Root Growth, Shoot Growth, and Fruit Growth of Peach

Abstract

The number, length, and elongation rate of white roots were related to vegetative and reproductive growth of young own-rooted ‘Redhaven’ peach trees from June 1985 until Oct. 1986. Root growth of fruiting and nonfruiting trees were similar, except for a period of 3 to 4 weeks each year either during the final stage of fruit growth or immediately after harvest. During these periods, cropping reduced white root length per tree in both years, and total root growth per tree and number of growing root tips in 1986. Number of elongating root tips was correlated with total root elongation and was a better indicator of total root elongation than was mean root elongation rate of individual root tips.