Phenology and reproductive traits of peaches and nectarines in Central-East Argentina

Abstract

In Santa Fe, the central-east area of Argentina, the expansion of fruit tree crops requires the introduction and evaluation of low chilling varieties. The aims of this study was to characterize the phenological behaviour and the reproductive traits of peach (Prunus persica L. Batsch) and nectarine varieties with chilling requirements ranging from 150 to 650 chilling hours (CH). Low chilling varieties (≤ 450 CH) had higher flower density (22.0-56.5 flowers m -1 ), fruit set (26.0-56.7%), fruit yield (9.3-36.6 kg per plant), and low coefficient of fruit yield variability than varieties with a higher chilling requirement (>500 CH). The phenology of high chilling requirement varieties had the advantage that blooming and fruit set happened after the period of late frost occurrence. However, they did not satisfy their chilling requirement, showing an inadequate vegetative and reproductive behaviour. Low chilling varieties began to sprout during July, and the period of full bloom occurred from July 14 th to August 4 th . Fruit harvest was initiated on October 19 th with the cv. 'Flordastar' and it extended for 58 days. However, on low chilling varieties the harvest time was reduced in ten days. Flower density, fruit set and fruit yield showed a negative relationship with the chilling requirement of the variety.

Influence of the Environmental Conditions, the Variety, and Different Cultural Practices on the Phenology of Peach in the Central Area of Santa Fe (Argentina)

“…With the exception of 'Maycrest' and 'Spring Lady', all cultivars reached over 60% of budbreak, despite its chilling requirement. These data did not show significant changes from data reported previously for a minor number of varieties and for a shorter period of analysis (Gariglio et al, 2009).…”

“…Fruit tree production in Argentina is over 7.5 million T, mainly including citrus (32.5%), grape (31.5%), pomes fruits (26.5%), stone fruits (5.3%), tropical fruits (3%), and other minor fruits (1.3%) such as walnuts, cherries and figs (CFI, 2011). The Santa Fe province contributes a small proportion of the whole fruit tree production of Argentina (INDEC, 2002), but there is an important encouragement for the expansion of fruit tree crops, due to the propitious ecological conditions, the abundant availability of high quality water, and the possibility of obtaining early fruit production (Gariglio et al, 2009). Nearly 50 new smallscale enterprises over 50 hectares of different crops such as low chilling peach and apple, www.intechopen.com One of the most widespread fruit tree crops in Argentina is peach (Prunus persica L. Batsch), which is grown on 29,660 hectares mainly located in the Mendoza and Buenos Aires provinces (INDEC, 2002).…”

“…Consequently, it is important to test the agronomic behavior of a wide range of varieties, mainly those with low chilling requirements, which are not widely grown and known in Argentina (Alayón Luaces et al, 2004). The introduction and evaluation of low chilling fruit trees in Santa Fe occurred from 1996, and now at least 10 varieties have been recommended for cultivation in view of their adequate phenological and reproductive traits (Gariglio et al, 1999(Gariglio et al, , 2006b(Gariglio et al, , 2009Ortiz de Zárate et al, 2007). However, these studies are still continuing due to the rapid varietal replacement and the interaction between environment and genotype, which requires many years of research.…”

Surface Barriers of Mandarin ‘Okitsu’ Leaves Make a Major Contribution to Canker Disease Resistance

“…They were planted with 5.0-by-3.5-m spacing on a silt-loamy soil and subjected to drip irrigation. Fertilization, pruning, and pest management were made in accordance with normal commercial practices, including a natural windbreak barrier of 15 m in height surrounding the experimental field, forming squares of 1 ha (17). A complete random experimental design with single-tree plots and eight replications per cultivar was used.…”

Fruit quality in the peach and nectarine with application of hydrogenated cyanamide and mineral oil

“…After that, agronomic evaluation and assessment of the quality of the fruit produced is necessary at the different locations, especially in places not having cold temperatures in the winter, as is the case of the subtropical regions (PÉREZ, 2004). Citadin et al (2002) and Gariglio, Ortiz de Zánate e Zanuttini(2003) Gariglio et al (2006Gariglio et al ( , 2009) stress that at these locations, expansion of the crop depends upon the introduction of varieties requiring little cold, since when varieties do not have their lowtemperature needs fully met, they display inadequate vegetative and reproductive behaviour (GONZÁLEZ-ROSSIA et al, 2007;WALTON et al, 2009).…”