How is the Chashan Early Honey Peach? An introduction to its variety characteristics
1 Breeding process
In July 1994, 169 well-developed, pure naturally pollinated seeds of Yuhualu peach were obtained. After stratification treatment, they were sown and raised as seedlings. In 1995, 126 descendant seedlings were obtained, numbered 001--126 respectively, and in 1996 they were planted at the Chashan practice base of Linyi Normal University. From 1998 to 1999, they bore fruit successively. In 2000, the 5 better-performing lines were top-grafted in the high-tech experimental orchard and production orchard of the Chashan base. After 3 years of trait observation, No. 026 showed early fruiting, large fruit size and good flavor. In 2002, it was identified by an expert group and named Chashan Early Honey.
2 Botanical traits
The tree grows vigorously, with a relatively open tree posture, and the new shoot growth reaches 86.2 cm. Perennial branches are grayish white, and one-year-old branches are light brown. Leaves are lanceolate, glossy, and dark green. The leaves in the middle of the branches are 14.2 cm long and 3.89 cm wide, wider than those of other varieties, with sparse serrations on the leaf margins. In autumn the leaves turn red. Flower buds are plump and full, mainly compound flower buds. Flowers are rose type, with a corolla diameter of 3.0 cm, pink, the pistil slightly lower than the stamens, pollen present, and a high self-fruit-setting rate.
3 Biological traits
3.1 Phenological period In the Chashan area of Shandong, flower bud sprouting begins in late March, full bloom is in mid-April, fruit ripening is in early to mid-June, and the fruit development period is 60 d (days). Compared with other early-maturing peaches in the same region, such as Chunlei (Hu 005), the ripening period is about 5 d later. Leaves fall in early November.
3.2 Fruit characteristics The fruit is nearly round, uniform, with a protruding fruit apex, obvious suture line, and symmetrical sides. The fruit is large, with an average single fruit weight of 160 g. The fruit skin ground color is milky white, with pinkish red blush in patches. The flesh is milky white, uniform in maturity, medium in juice, hard melting, aromatic, sweet and sour, rich in flavor, and good in taste. The soluble solids content is 11.2%, soluble sugar 8.1%, and titratable acid 0.36%. Clingstone, the stone is small and does not crack, and most seeds do not develop to maturity. The fruit is relatively tolerant of storage and transport.
3.3 Fruiting habit The tree is robust, drought resistant, tolerant of poor soil, and highly adaptable. It flowers easily, has many compound flower buds, and long, medium, and short fruit branches can all bear fruit. In young trees, the proportion of fruiting branches is 36.5% long fruiting branches, 36.9% medium fruiting branches, and 26.5% short fruiting branches. A 3-year-old tree yields 20.2 kg per tree, a 4-year-old tree yields 30.3 kg per tree, and in full fruit period 667 sq m yields about 1600 kg.
4 Key cultivation techniques
Chashan Early Honey is drought resistant, cold resistant, tolerant of poor soil, and adaptable to a wide range of areas. Because the fruit ripens early, it is suitable for development in suburban areas. In mountainous and hilly areas, the planting spacing is 2 m x 3 m, and in plains 4 m x 4 m. The most suitable tree shape is the natural open-center form. Although Chashan Early Honey has fertile pollen and a relatively high self-fruit-setting rate, pollinizer trees should also be arranged to increase yield and quality. In the year of planting, pay attention to summer pinching to promote branching, accelerate crown expansion, and form the tree shape early. Winter pruning of young trees should use the long-shoot pruning method, with more thinning and less heading back. After entering the fruiting period, use two-branch renewal, keep good reserve branches, and prevent the fruiting parts from moving outward. In summer, pay attention to thinning out overly dense branches, vigorous upright branches, and diseased and pest-damaged branches, and appropriately twist shoots to improve ventilation and light conditions. Appropriately apply plant growth regulators. For young vigorous trees, spraying or root application of paclobutrazol (also known as PP333) at the early stage of branch growth can effectively control excessive branch growth and benefit flower bud formation. The effect of paclobutrazol can last 3 a (years).
Pests and diseases during the growing period include peach aphid, red spider mite, peach leafminer moth, anthracnose, and bacterial shot hole. Control methods: before germination, spray 3--5 degrees Baume lime sulfur mixture to control red spider mite and powdery mildew. Before and after flowering, spray Taoyayingyijing or imidacloprid once each, and after leaf expansion spray pyridaben, mixed with fungicides such as carbendazim to control pests and diseases. After that, pay attention to the control of peach fruit borer and leafminer moth, spraying Taoxiaoling, diflubenzuron No. 3, or triflumuron, respectively. After leaf fall, thoroughly remove dead branches, diseased branches, and fallen leaves, and bury them deeply in a centralized place or burn them.