Work

Association between Elemental Content of Dormant Peach Trees and Susceptibility to Short Life1

Year: 1976

Type: article

Abstract: During winter months, concentrations of K, Ca, Al, Sr, B and Zn were significantly greater in twigs of apparently healthy, dormant peach ( Prunus persica (L.) Batsch) trees grown on old peach orchard sites than in twigs of apparently healthy trees on adjacent new sites in Georgia. Later in the spring, tree mortality and injury from cold and bacterial canker caused by Pseudomonas syringae Van Hall were also much greater on the old sites than the new sites. Differences in elemental concentrations in roots and 2-year-old shoots were not significant when trees on old and new orchard sites were compared. In a short life site in South Carolina, pruning trees in November greatly increased tree mortality compared to fumigated or nonfumigated trees pruned in February. Concentrations of K, Mg, Fe, and Al were also significantly greater in the November-pruned trees than in the February-pruned trees. Accumulation during dormancy of certain elements in peach twigs may be an indicator that the trees have been predisposed to short life.

Source: Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science

DOI: 10.21273/jashs.101.5.486

Authors: D. J. Weaver, W. M. Dowler, W. C. Nesmith

Institutions: Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture

Language: English

Topic: Plant Physiology and Cultivation Studies

Subfield: Plant Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Zero hunger

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,500