What are the latest causes of nectarine fruit splitting?
It has been two or three days since entering August, and as temperatures rise, nectarines have begun to enter the market. Nectarine is one of many peach varieties and is also the most popular variety on the market, but as they enter the market, nectarines also develop some problems. Among them, fruit splitting is the most common problem in nectarines, and fruit splitting can seriously affect the quality of nectarines. So what exactly causes nectarine fruit splitting? Let's take a look.
1. Variety
There are many varieties of nectarine, and fruit splitting may be caused by varietal factors. Different nectarine varieties have different degrees and rates of fruit splitting, because nectarine fruit splitting is not related to size but to the cell structure of the nectarine skin. During the fruit expansion stage, the skin begins to become brittle and the flesh becomes soft, and the skin grows more slowly than the flesh. According to survey results, varieties with softer and thicker skin and a compact structure have less fruit splitting; for example, the fruit splitting rate of Shuangxihong is only 11.5%. Varieties with thin, soft skin and a loose structure have a higher fruit splitting rate; for example, the fruit splitting rate of Zhongyou No. 4 is as high as 77.9%.
2. Climate
Climate is also a factor that cannot be ignored in causing nectarine fruit splitting. Because when the summer rainy season arrives, early- and mid-maturing nectarine varieties are exactly in their final expansion and ripening stage, and continuous cloudy and rainy weather causes physiological changes in nectarines. The adhesion capacity of nectarine cells decreases, and some soluble substances increase, causing the nectarine flesh to become soft, the skin to become thin, the internal structure to become loose, and the skin growth rate to slow down, so it cannot withstand the expansion of the flesh and fruit splitting forms.
3. Soil
Soil is also one of the causes of fruit splitting, because nectarines need more nutrients for growth, and the absorption and transfer of nutrients all start from the roots. If the soil lacks a certain element, the soil's nutrients become imbalanced, causing nectarines to lack a certain element and split. For example, if the soil lacks calcium, calcium is an important component of plant cell walls and can enhance the strength of cell walls; without calcium, the resistance of cell walls becomes worse. They cannot withstand the pressure and squeezing of the flesh cells, causing fruit splitting to occur.
4. Management
Improper manual management that causes external damage to the fruit skin surface, sunburn on the skin, and the occurrence of pests, diseases, and pesticide damage can also cause nectarine fruit splitting. Too long a light period causes the fruit skin surface to dry out and lose moisture. Moreover, fruit splitting is also closely related to tree vigor and tree age; fruit at the top has a higher splitting rate, while that at the middle and lower parts is lower.
The above are the reasons why nectarines split. When selecting seeds and sowing, choose varieties with a lower fruit splitting rate, such as Shuangxihong and Zhongyou No. 14, and strengthen orchard management. Do not manage nectarine trees blindly; it is harmful and brings no benefit either to the nectarines or to yourself. If you want to learn more about fruit, please continue to follow our Qinnong website.