Relationship between Canopy Architecture and Fruit Quality on "Rich May" Peach Grafted onto "Penta" and "GF677" Rootstocks

Abstract

Observations on crop efficiency and fruit quality of peach trees of ‘Rich May’ grafted onto ‘GF677’ (peach x almond) and ‘Penta’ (Prunus domestica L.) rootstocks are reported. Results were related to canopy architecture parameters, particularly to scaffold branches, shoot and leaf blade inclination angles, to the pattern of light distribution, and to the area of sunflecks projected at midday on the ground. Trees grafted onto ‘GF677’ were more vigorous, in terms of trunk cross-sectional area, summer pruning weight and leaf area. Within canopy light distribution profiles were in agreement with foliage density, with a higher light interception observed in trees grafted on ‘GF677’. Within canopy variation of fruit quality was higher on trees grafted onto ‘GF677’ than on those grafted onto ‘Penta’. Fruit red skin colour and soluble solids content were consistently higher on trees grafted onto ‘Penta’