Detailed Explanation of Key Techniques for Growing Fuzzless Peaches

Peach varieties are deeply loved by consumers for their large size, small pits, abundant juice and sweet flavor. In recent years, with the development of nectarine varieties, the development of peach varieties has been somewhat affected because the fuzz on the fruit skin detracts from their external quality. To overcome this shortcoming in the external quality of peaches, we conducted multiple trials on peach varieties such as Yuhualu, Huangjintao, Okubo, Diaozhibai and Qiufengmi, and summarized a set of cultivation and management techniques that reduce the fuzz on the surface of peach skin, thereby improving the external quality of the fruit.

I. Emphasize the application of potassium fertilizer

Among the three elements nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, mature peach trees absorb the most potassium over the course of a year, and potassium is indispensable especially for fruit formation. Potassium plays an irreplaceable role in the sugar content and pigment formation in the fruit, and directly affects the internal and external quality of the fruit. Therefore, in fertilization, emphasis should be placed on the application of potassium fertilizer, applying more than 1.1 kg of potassium per 100 kg of fruit (0.5 kg phosphorus, 1 kg nitrogen). After autumn, when applying base fertilizer, apply 90% of the potassium fertilizer amount, and at the same time spray the leaves with potassium dihydrogen phosphate 3-4 times.

II. Train and prune to an open-center shape

Pruning to an open-center shape is more conducive to improving ventilation and light penetration conditions and enhancing the external quality of the fruit. Peach trees tend to sprout water sprouts and back shoots. Attention should be paid to summer pruning, promptly thinning out back shoots, water sprouts and overly dense branches.

III. Emphasize the use of three rounds of spraying

In pest and disease control, emphasize the use of three rounds of spraying: (1) Before and after the wheat harvest, spray once each time with pesticides to control aphids, peach fruit borers, leaf rollers, leaf miners, red spider mites, leaf shot hole disease, fruit rot disease and other pests and diseases. The fungicide used must include carbendazim (50% carbendazim 800-1000 times dilution); this is the key to making peaches "fuzzless." (2) In the later stage of fruit growth, in conjunction with pest and disease control, the fungicide used must include Pencozeb (80% Pencozeb 800-1000 times dilution) to help the peach fruit skin become smooth and "fuzzless."

On the basis of peach tree management, by focusing on the application of the above three aspects of technology, the produced peach fruit skin is nearly "fuzzless," thereby improving the quality of the peach fruit.