This year, peach trees experienced a more severe third-stage physiological fruit drop, especially in the "Daiwan Honeydew" variety. This phenomenon has raised concerns among growers, and after careful analysis, several contributing factors have been identified.
Peach trees typically go through three stages of physiological fruit drop. The third stage, which occurs between late May and early June, is closely linked to fruit production. During this period, the fruit enters the hard pit stage, and any adverse conditions can lead to abnormal embryo development, resulting in fruit drop. The main causes include:
First, excessive vegetative growth often disrupts the balance between vegetative and reproductive growth. When the tree grows too vigorously, it diverts most of its energy and nutrients to leaves and shoots, leaving insufficient resources for the developing embryos. This leads to poor embryo development and ultimately fruit drop. To manage this, proper summer pruning is essential. In mid-May, shoot thinning and bud rubbing should be carried out to control new growth. Also, avoid applying fertilizer before the kernel stage, as it may stimulate unwanted shoot growth.
Second, environmental factors play a significant role. Prolonged high temperatures can negatively impact fruit development, while water stress during the hard pit stage can cause embryos to stop growing, leading to fruit drop. Therefore, maintaining adequate soil moisture is crucial. If there's less than two weeks of rainfall, check the soil moisture level and irrigate accordingly to ensure sufficient water for the embryos.
Third, improper pesticide use can also contribute to fruit drop. It is advisable to target specific pests or diseases with one type of pesticide at a time. Avoid mixing multiple chemicals, and do not apply them too frequently. A 10–15 day interval between pesticide applications is recommended to prevent phytotoxicity, which can worsen fruit drop.
Additionally, this year’s weather played a key role. Mid-May saw reduced precipitation, leading to water shortages that increased leaf transpiration and further dehydrated the trees. This had a direct impact on embryo development and intensified fruit drop. Notably, the "Daiwan Honeydew" peach showed lower heat tolerance compared to other varieties, making it more vulnerable to these conditions.
In summary, the current fruit drop is part of the normal third-stage physiological drop. However, combined with poor summer management, unusual weather patterns, and unscientific pesticide use, the situation became more severe. These factors highlight the need for better field management practices, including improved irrigation scheduling, proper pruning, and cautious pesticide application. By refining these techniques, we can reduce the risk of similar issues in the future.
Hainan white pepper
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