PEACH INDUSTRY IN GEORGIA - PRESENT SITUATION, CHALLENGES, PROSPECTIVE AND RESEARCH APPROACHES

Abstract

The peach is a traditional and well known stone fruit in Georgia, considering that it was introduced from China and Iran and has been cultivated here since ancient time. Actually Prunus persica (L.) Batsch is spread in Georgia for commercial purposes. There are grouped local varieties according of pedoclimatic condition: Kakheti peaches (large, yellow flesh fruits), Kartli peaches (crisp white flesh, good aroma and taste), West Georgia peaches (small fruits, with tolerance to humidity). The peach production basically is located in East Georgia – Kakheti and Shida kartli region. The principal production area is Kakheti, mostly Gurjaani district. The peach orchards plantation comprised on 3,100 ha commercial orchards and scattered trees on 1,600 ha. The average production of peach varies from 19,100 Mt (2009) till 5,300 Mt (2006) per year. The common practice of planting commercial orchards of peach – 500-600 trees/ha with training method of Vase. The late spring frosts during blossom is a major limiting factor for increasing peach production in country. The peach leaf curl (Taphrina deformans), San Jose scale (Quadraspidiotus perniciosus (Comstock), peach twig borer (Anarsia lineatella) and the Oriental fruit moth (Grapholita molesta) are main troubles for the industry. The important commercial features of peaches which are produced in the country – attractive view, large size and distinguished taste and aroma – gives marketing advantages in the local and export market. A number of research works (Kvaliashvili, Maghradze, Vashakidze) have been done during last several decades in direction of peach improvement in Georgia. As a result of this work several new varieties of peach (‘Tsedisuri Pink’, ‘Tsedisuri Flat’, ‘Albest’, ‘Atenuri Yellow’ and others) have been released, which are distinguished by productivity, good aroma and taste. Research work for trial and evaluation of performance over 50 new introduced cultivars is in progress (Bobokashvili).