Subtropical and Temperate Fruit Production
HORMA 201 - M.Sc. (Ag.) Horticulture
UNIT II: Plums, peach, apricot, cherries, hazlenut
Table of Contents
Commercial varieties of regional, national and international importance,
Ecophysiological requirements, recent trends in propagation, rootstock influence,
planting systems, cropping systems, root zone and canopy management, nutrient
management, water management, fertigation, bioregulation, abiotic factors limiting fruit
production, physiology of flowering, fruit set and development, abiotic factors limiting
production, physiological disorders-causes and remedies, quality improvement by
management practices; maturity indices, harvesting, grading, packing, precooling,
storage, transportation and ripening techniques; industrial and export potential, Agri Export Zones(AEZ) and industrial support.
Chapter 6 -
🍑 PEACH (Prunus persica)
🔹 1. Commercial Varieties (Regional, National, and International Importance)
Types:
Clingstone: Flesh adheres to stone (used for canning)
Freestone: Flesh separates easily (fresh consumption)
Popular Indian Varieties:
Sharbati, Flordasun, Pratap, Prabhat, Early Grande, July Elberta, Florida Prince, Partap, Shan-e-Punjab, Punjab Nectar
International Varieties:
Redhaven, Elberta, Suncrest, O’Henry, Springcrest, Halford
Major Growing Regions (India):
Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, NEH states (up to 1,500 m)
🔹 2. Ecophysiological Requirements
Climate: Subtropical to temperate; chilling requirement: 200–1,000 hrs depending on cultivar
Temperature: Optimal 20–30°C; frost sensitive during flowering
Soil: Well-drained sandy loam to loamy soil, pH 5.5–6.5
Elevation:
Low chill cultivars: up to 1,200 m
High chill cultivars: 1,200–2,000 m
🔹 3. Recent Trends in Propagation
Propagation by T-budding and tongue grafting
Clonal rootstocks gaining popularity for uniformity
Micropropagation used for elite genotypes and virus-free planting material
🔹 4. Rootstock Influence
🔹 5. Planting Systems
Spacing:
Traditional: 6 x 6 m
HDP: 3 x 2 m or 2.5 x 1.5 m
System: Square or rectangular planting
Training: Open center or vase shape for better light interception
🔹 6. Cropping Systems
Intercropping: Legumes (pea, beans), vegetables during initial years
Mixed planting: With plum, pear, apricot, or cherry in temperate orchards
🔹 7. Root Zone and Canopy Management
Pruning: Annual winter pruning critical to stimulate new fruiting wood
Canopy management:
Summer pruning encourages airflow
Open canopy ensures good light → better fruit color & size
🔹 8. Nutrient Management
FYM: 20–25 kg/tree/year
Age-based NPK schedule:
Young tree (1–3 yrs): 250–400 g N, 150 g P, 250 g K
Mature tree: 500–750 g N, 250–300 g P, 500–750 g K
Micronutrients: Zn, B, and Ca crucial for fruit development and quality
🔹 9. Water Management
Irrigate at:
Flowering
Fruit set and development
Pre-harvest for size
Avoid excess → collar/root rot
Critical periods: Bud break to fruit maturation
🔹 10. Fertigation
NPK application through drip → efficient use
Water-soluble fertilizers preferred
Avoid fertigation during dormancy
🔹 11. Bioregulation
🔹 12. Abiotic Factors Limiting Production
Spring frost: Flower damage → yield loss
High temp during fruit growth: Sunburn, poor quality
Water stress: Small, cracked fruits
Soil salinity: Reduces uptake and tree health
🔹 13. Physiology of Flowering, Fruit Set & Development
Flowering: Late Feb–March (depending on region)
Pollination: Mostly self-fertile
Fruit set: 30–50% under ideal conditions
Fruit development stages: S1 (rapid growth) → S2 (pit hardening) → S3 (final swell)
🔹 14. Physiological Disorders – Causes & Remedies
🔹 15. Quality Improvement by Management
Fruit thinning: To improve size and uniformity
Balanced fertilization: Especially K and Ca
Canopy openness: Better color and TSS
Irrigation at fruit enlargement stage: Boosts weight and juice content
🔹 16. Maturity Indices
Days from full bloom: 80–120 days
Skin color changes from green → yellow/red
TSS: 12–16°Brix
Fruit firmness slightly reduces
🔹 17. Harvesting, Grading & Packing
Harvest stage: Firm ripe for local, mature green for distant markets
Grading: Based on size, color, freedom from damage
Packing: Trays in corrugated fibreboard boxes
🔹 18. Pre-cooling, Storage, Transportation
Pre-cooling at 0–2°C after harvest
Storage conditions:
Temperature: 0 to –0.5°C
RH: 90–95%
Shelf life: 2–4 weeks
Transport: Insulated or refrigerated transport ideal
🔹 19. Ripening Techniques
Ethylene (100 ppm) improves uniform ripening
Ideal ripening temp: 20–25°C
Ripening room recommended for commercial operations
🔹 20. Industrial & Export Potential
Processed into canned peaches, juice, nectar, jam, baby food
Peach puree in high demand
Export to Gulf countries, SE Asia
Scope for canning units, juice processing under MSME and FPO schemes
🔹 21. Agri Export Zones (AEZ) and Industrial Support
AEZ for temperate fruits in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand
Support schemes:
APEDA: Export promotion & infrastructure
NHB: Cold storage & packhouse development
MoFPI: Mega food parks, processing cluster support
Subtropical and Temperate Fruit Production- Click here for all unit notes