Vol. 71 No: 4

Title:
Early Shading Reduces Fruit Yield and Late Shading Reduces Quality in Low-Chill Peach (Prunus Persica (L.) Batsch) in Subtropical Australia

Authors:
A.P. GEORGE, S. HIEKE, T. RASMUSSEN and P. LUDDERS

pp: 561-572

Abstract:
The effects of whole-tree shading using green, woven, polyethylene shade cloth (30 and 70 vs. 0% shade) on fruit growth and fruit quality of the low-chill peach cv. Flordaprince were evaluated in subtropical Australia. Compared with unshaded controls, heavy shading during stage I of fruit growth had the greatest effect on yield, reducing average fruit weight by 31% and total tree fruit weight by 22%. In contrast, heavy shading during stage III had the greatest effect on reducing fruit Brix by 23% and red blush by 48%. Fruit growth rate reductions due to shading in stage I were not apparent until stone-hardening with fruit unable to recover lost potential size. Heavy shading during stage I increased leaf chlorophyll and reduced assimilation (A) by about 50% but effects of shading on A at later stages were less pronounced. It was concluded from the study that early shading reduces yield and late shading reduces fruit quality.

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