What Causes Peach Fruit Cracking? Detailed Prevention Measures
Fruit cracking is a common phenomenon when growing peaches, mostly occurring during the fruit swelling or ripening stage, but if it happens on a large scale, it not only reduces peach yield but also affects the appearance of the peaches and harms economic returns. So what causes peach fruit cracking? And how should it be prevented? Let's take a look together with Qinnong Web.
1. Variety characteristics
The fruit produced by some peach tree varieties is prone to cracking; for example, those with loose, crisp flesh crack easily, those that are relatively round crack easily, and early-maturing and mid-maturing varieties crack easily.
Prevention measures: Choose to plant varieties whose fruit has firm, dense flesh and an oblong shape and that are late-maturing or very late-maturing, which can reduce the possibility of fruit cracking to a certain extent.
2. Environmental factors
During the pit-growing stage of the peach, rainy weather is often encountered, which easily causes fruit cracking; planting in soil that is relatively heavy in clay, has a high groundwater level, and drains poorly also easily causes fruit cracking; sudden rainfall after a long drought can also lead to fruit cracking; excessive pruning can also cause fruit cracking; severe damage to the tree body can also lead to fruit cracking, and poor soil and other such causes will all lead to peach fruit cracking.
Prevention measures: Take good drainage measures when rainy weather occurs; when planting, choose soil with deep, loose layers, a high groundwater level, and good drainage; water promptly during drought to maintain moisture; pruning should be based on the tree's growth state, just prune away excess branches and leaves and keep the plant well ventilated; strengthen management, prevent pests and diseases from damaging the tree body, apply sufficient base fertilizer, and change the poor soil conditions.
3. Improper fertilizer and water management
Applying nitrogen fertilizer during the seedling and growing stages of peach trees can make them grow quickly, but nitrogen fertilizer is not all-powerful and cannot be applied continuously; excessive nitrogen fertilizer application causes the plant to grow excessively and easily leads to fruit cracking. In addition, applying only nitrogen fertilizer will lead to a deficiency of calcium and other nutrients. Peach trees are extremely sensitive to calcium; calcium deficiency will not only cause fruit cracking but also cause peach fruits to become soft and rot.
Prevention measures: When fertilizing, scientific matching is needed, and attention should be paid to the application ratio of other nutrients. It is recommended to apply fully decomposed organic fertilizer or compound fertilizer, which takes care of every nutrient. If fruit cracking still occurs, calcium fertilizer should be applied promptly as a top dressing.
4. Excessive use of swelling agents
Now many fruit growers, in order to ensure yield, will apply a little swelling agent to a greater or lesser extent during the fruit swelling stage, so that the fruit produced is large and beautiful, which is only human nature. Using an appropriate amount of swelling agent will not harm the peaches. However, when a swelling agent is used in excess or improperly, it causes the flesh cells to expand rapidly in a short time and finally burst through the skin, resulting in fruit cracking.
Prevention measures: The best option is not to use a swelling agent; even if it is used, attention should be paid to the method and dosage, and one must never be too impatient, but proceed step by step.
The above are the causes of and prevention measures for peach fruit cracking brought to you by Qinnong Web. The introduction to peach fruit cracking ends here. When growing peaches, attention should also be paid to pest and disease control, as many pests and diseases can also cause fruit cracking, deformed fruit, and rotten fruit problems. For more agricultural knowledge, please stay tuned to Qinnong Web.