Root and aerial growth in early-maturing peach trees under two crop load treatments

Isabel Abrisqueta,Lidia López-Martínez,Wenceslao Conejero,Juan Vera,M Carmen Ruiz Sánchez

doi:10.5424/sjar/2017152-10714

Isabel Abrisqueta, Lidia López-Martínez + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.5424/sjar/2017152-10714

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Abstract

The objectives of the paper were to study the pattern of root growth (measured by minirhizotrons) in relation to trunk, fruit and shoot growth and the effects of crop load on tree growth and yield in peach trees. Two crop load (commercial and low) treatments were applied in a mature early-maturing peach tree orchard growing in Mediterranean conditions. Root growth dynamics were measured using minirhizotrons during one growing season. Shoot, trunk and fruit growth were also measured. At harvest, all fruits were weighed, counted and sized. Roots grew throughout the year but at lower rates during the active fruit growth phase. Root growth was asynchronous with shoot growth, while root and trunk growth rates were highest after harvest, when the canopy was big enough to allocate the photo-assimilates to organs that would ensure the following season’s yield. Shoot and fruit growth was greater in the low crop load treatment and was accompanied by a non-significant increase in root growth. High level of fruit thinning decreased the current yield but the fruits were more marketable because of their greater size.

Highlights

IntroductionPeach fruit yield and quality depend on environmental factors, especially water supply, and, in areas with scarce water resources, deficit irrigation strategies (application of water below full crop water requirements) are strongly recommended
Peach fruit yield and quality depend on environmental factors, especially water supply, and, in areas with scarce water resources, deficit irrigation strategies are strongly recommended
The comparison made between Root length density (RLD) data from the commercial crop load trees calculated by the two analysis procedures showed good correlation, with a significant coefficient (r = 0.96***) (Fig. 1b)

Summary

Introduction

Peach fruit yield and quality depend on environmental factors, especially water supply, and, in areas with scarce water resources, deficit irrigation strategies (application of water below full crop water requirements) are strongly recommended. The initial growth of reproductive and vegetative organs depends on the mobilization of carbohydrate stores in roots (Kozolowski, 1992), and individual fruits compete with other fruits and with vegetative growth for resources (DeJong et al, 1987). Besides the continual changes that occur naturally in the above-below ground ratio during tree growth, the ratio is affected by managing fruit load and the extent of the fruit sink. In this sense, several studies have revealed that crop load affects the segregation of carbohydrates, early ripening cultivars being more

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