Journal of Environmental Biology

Dormancy induction for advancement of flowering and harvest maturity in peaches under subtropical climate

S.K. Banyal¹*, H. Singh², U.R. Patial³ and K. Jarial⁴     

¹Department of Fruit Science, Dr. Y. S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Neri, Hamirpur-177 001 India

²Himachal Pradesh Horticulture Development Project (World Bank Funded), Department of Horticulture, Solan-173212, India

³Department of Fruit Science, Punjab Agriculture University, Ludhiana-141 004, India

⁴Department of Plant Pathology, Dr. Y. S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Neri, Hamirpur-177 001, India

Received: 20 March 2024                   Revised: 08 May 2024                   Accepted: 04 October 2024

*Corresponding Author Email : skbanyal@gmail.com                           *ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2735-9502

Abstract

Aim: Inducing early leaf fall and subsequently dormancy for advancement of harvest maturity in two peach varieties Glohaven and Royal Paradelux.

Methodology: This research work was carried out in the experimental farm of Department of Fruit Science, College of Horticulture and Forestry, Neri, Hamirpur, (HP). The study was conducted on three-year-old peach plants of cultivars Glohaven and Royal Paradelux planted at a spacing of 2m × 2m. During experiment, chemical treatments were applied to induce early dormancy in the plants so as to obtain early and uniform flowering. Six treatments viz., T1- urea @ 4%, T2- CuSO₄ @ 10%, T3- ZnSO₄ @ 1.5%, T4- ZnSO₄ @ 3%, T5- urea @ 2% + CuSO₄ @ 5% + ZnSO₄ @ 2% and T6- control were applied in the first week of November, 2018.

Results: Observations on vegetative parameters, time of leaf fall, flowering, fruiting parameters and biochemical parameters were taken on all the plants under each treatment. The results of the study revealed that application of 3% ZnSO4 effectively advanced the leaf fall, bud break and flowering leading to improved yield and quality in low chill peaches.

Interpretation: The fruit maturity was advanced by one week under treatment of T3 (zinc sulphate @ 3%).

Key words: Dormancy, Flowering, Fruit maturity, Peach

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