Choice of Varieties for the Peach Orchards

摘要

VARIETY selection is critical in the establishment of a peach oichards. For a variety to be successful it must consistently be productive and have fruit that are attractive, possess good quality, size and firmness. The varieties are generally classified as to their geographic adaptability based on the number of chilling hours at or below 45°F which is necsssary to satisfy the chilling hours accumulation is critical for proper development of leaf and flower buds. A variety that does not receive sufficient chilling to satisfy its dormanl period period does not perform well. Such plants are often delayed in both leafing out and blooming. These trees generally lack vigour and will not survive, low chill varieties that have a chilling requirement of 200-250 hours do well in the plains of Punjab. The varieties that have very low chilling requirement are often susceptible to late winter spring brost. Thus it is suggested that only a small percentage of the orchard be planted with these varieties. The varieties should also be selected with respect to fruit maturity date or harvest date. The planting of several low chill varieties with different harvest dates will extend the harvest season over a longer period of time. Currently, varieties are available that will allow the growers to produce fruit from the end of April through July.