Performance of Different Peach Varieties at Lower Altitude (4000 ft) of Murree Hills

Abstract

Peach is unique stone fruit belongs to subtropical zones. It is getting high in demand due to its immense nutritional importance and dessert quality. High quality peach produce is dependent of various factors such as variety, rootstock, climate and soil etc. In pursuit of that the performance of eight different cherry varieties namely Florida King, Peach 8, Mario Delicizia, Peach 3, Early Grand, A-669, Nectarine and Spring Crest were evaluated in the climatic conditions of Tret (4000 ft). The experiment laid out according to randomized complete block design (RCBD), with four replications and one plant per treatment for the consecutive three years. Data regarding Flowering time , Fruit setting, Color break stage, Date of maturity, Ripening Stage , Fruit Weight (g), Fruit Length (cm), Fruit Width (cm), Yield per plant (kg), TSS %  and Firmness. Peach 8 is the early maturity variety followed by Florida king. The Highest TSS value was shown by Florida King (13 ^oBrix) followed by Peach 8 (12 ^oBrix). Regarding the firmness (15) Florida king surpasses all other varieties. Regarding yield per plant Early Grand exhibited better results (15 kg/plant). In the long run, it will be an effective protocol for production of peach on commercial scale and development of market as well as storage on sound basis