Effect of paclobutrazol treatments and planting density on photosynthetic efficiency and fruit production in peach cv. July Elberta

Abstract

The peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batch] is an important stone fruit with attractive appearance, delicious taste and nutritive values. In Himachal Pradesh, peaches occupy an area of about 6,000 ha, which is scattered all over the state except the dry and cold regions of Lahaul & Spiti, Kinnaur and Pangi or Bharmour areas of Chamba district, with an annual production of 8,004 MT (Anon, 1). However, these are commercially being grown under traditional low planting densities in India and as such are less productive and give low return per unit area. Moreover, with the increasing pressure on land and reduction in average land holding, there has been a great scope to change over to more efficient system of planting and canopy management.