Effects of Planting Density on Peach and Nectarine Productivity

Productivity (number of fruits/trunk, cross sectional area) of ‘Stark Redgold’ nectarine and ‘Suncrest’ peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch], planted at 4 × 1.25, 4 × 1.50, 4 × 1.75, and 4 × 2.00 m, corresponding to 2000, 1666, 1428, and 1250 trees/ha, respectively, was related inversely to tree density; yield per hectare constantly declined as tree density increased. June fruit drop was unrelated to tree density, while the fruit drop pattern peaked at the same date at all the tree densities. Fruit final diameter and weight, yield per tree and per hectare were related inversely to tree density. A significant correlation was found between final fruit size and relative growth rate of fruits (positive) and shoots (negative) during early stage I of fruit development.