The Effect of Planting System on Canopy Architecture of Some New Peach Varieties Cultivated in the Southern Part of Romania

Modern peach planting systems are represented by highly productive orchards, with high planting density. As a consequence of using dwarfing rootstocks and special pruning techniques, the tree architecture is modified with the aim to increase the photosynthetic efficiency, the fruit yield and quality. V type canopies as: Tatura trellis, V system and Sibari Y are mostly used in peach modern orchards for their good light interception, high yield and fruit quality. There were studied five new peach cultivars: 'Royal Estate', 'Earlirich', 'Rubirich', 'October star' and 'Late luka', grafted on GF 677 rootstock, with four canopies in an orchard planted in 2008, in Bucharest, on brown reddish soil. The planting systems were: Tatura trellis and V system, planted at 4.0 x 1.0 m and 4.0 x 1.5 m, Sibari Y, planted at 4.5 x 1.5 m and Vertical axis, planted at 4.0 x 1.5 m. The inter row was cultivated with perennial grasses and the row strip was maintained clean by hand and mechanical cultivation. Drip irrigation and organo-mineral fertilizers were applied on the row. The orchard was protected using a system of integrated pest and disease management. Pruning and planting system effect on fruit tree growth and development was studied. A number of measurements and determinations regarding the tree growth, trunk diameter, number, length of the fruit branches and their evolution were done. The results have shown that Tatura trellis and V system offer the best light interception ratio and a balanced ratio between the tree growth and yield. Even so, Vertical axis is a viable alternative, by reducing the initial investment and the orchard maintenance costs.