Raised Beds and Microirrigation Influence Peach Production

Abstract

<jats:p>The performance of peach trees [<jats:italic>Prunus persica</jats:italic> (L.) Batsch cv. Redhaven/Siberian C.] on raised beds as compared to the conventional flat (unraised) orchard floor surface was evaluated from 1982 to 1991. The raised bed was similar to the flat bed in cation exchange capacity (CEC), Ca, P, K, Mg, B, and Zn soil levels in the 0-15 cm depth. Microirrigation, using two 3.7 L.h<jats:sup>-1</jats:sup> emitters per tree vs. no irrigation, was applied to trees planted in a north-south orientation on a silt loam, noncalcareous soil. Raised beds increased trunk cross-sectional area (TCA) and yield-efficiency over 5 years. Irrigation increased fruit mass mostly in years of highest evaporation. Significant year to year variations occurred in yield, fruit mass, TCA and yield efficiency. There were significant bed × year interactions for yield and TCA. Irrigation increased leaf boron content regardless of bed type. Leaf potassium was higher in flat beds. Nonirrigated trees had the lowest tree survival on the flat bed, but the opposite was true on the raised bed.</jats:p>

Orchard Floor Preparation Did Not Affect Early Peach Tree Performance on Aura Sandy Loam Soil

“…Average fruit size also did not vary significantly, averaging 207 g (7.3 oz) per fruit for 1998 and 1999 (Table 1). This suggests that under the conditions of this study, mounding and mulching did not enhance early peach tree performance as had been reported elsewhere (Funt et al, 1997;Glenn and Welker, 1989;Tanaka and Anderson, 1997). Funt et al (1997) noted that average fruit size was unaffected by external stresses while other tree growth measurements showed significant differences.…”

“…This suggests that under the conditions of this study, mounding and mulching did not enhance early peach tree performance as had been reported elsewhere (Funt et al, 1997;Glenn and Welker, 1989;Tanaka and Anderson, 1997). Funt et al (1997) noted that average fruit size was unaffected by external stresses while other tree growth measurements showed significant differences. Further, in associated work by the authors, trunk cross sectional area and fruit yield were significantly different due to external plant stresses, yet average fruit size was notably unaffected.…”

“…The use of raised beds or mulch as an alternative to conventional flat culture adds to production costs and may or may not improve peach performance on all soils and may reduce the growers' net profit or increase the net loss. However, Funt et al (1997) showed that raised beds increased peach TCSA and yield efficiency over 5 years on a silt loam, noncalcareous soil in Ohio. Peaches require less moisture than apples (Malus ×domestica) or pears (Pyrus communis), but require better aeration.…”

“…rchard floor modification can have a direct effect on tree survival rate, growth, vigor, and fruit yield in the early years of orchard establishment (Glenn and Welker, 1989). Funt et al (1997) reported that the optimal soil water holding capacity and space within the soil for gas exchange have a direct impact on tree performance. The finer the soil texture, the more attention is needed to ensure adequate drainage for optimum aeration in the rooting zone.…”

“…Growers have attempted to solve the problem of adequate moisture and nutrient retention, as well as aeration of orchard soils, by adopting various land preparation options as may be dictated by the soil type and land terrain. On finer textured soils, several horticultural crops are commonly grown on raised beds to minimize root zone flooding and the subsequent anaerobiosis that inhibits root development and can lead to tree death from phytophthora infection (Funt et al, 1997) or weaken the tree so that death from winter injury occurs. On coarse textured soils, mulching has been shown to conserve soil water and minimize nutrient losses associated with leaching (Ji and Unger, 2001;Tanaka and Anderson, 1997;Yohannes, 1999).…”