Long-term Influence of Irrigation and Tree Density on Growth, Survival, and Production of Peach

The effects of irrigation and tree density on peach [ Prunus persica (L.) Batsch cv. Harken/Siberian C] production were investigated over 11 years. Irrigation improved growth of peach trees, lowered levels of winter injury and perennial canker ( Leucostoma spp.), and promoted tree survival. Annual and cumulative marketable yields were increased, especially in the later years. Tree density did not affect perennial canker, winter injury, or tree survival. Reducing tree spacing increased resulted total growth per hectare and annual and cumulative marketable yields. Irrigation and density treatments usually did not interact and had an additive effect on growth and fruit production. The most productive management system (a combination of 50% available soil moisture and 536 trees/ha) resulted in accumulated yields over 8 years of 179 tonnes (t)/ha comparted with only 74 t/ha for the check treatment (no irrigation and 266 trees/ha).