Effect of partial ringing on the shoot growth, fruit yield and quality of peach.

Abstract: A study was conducted in southern Japan to investigate the effects of partial ringing (bark removal) on peach (Prunus persica cv. Hikawahakuho). The bark was cut once at 2 cm length x 2 mm width and 8 cm length x 2 mm width of bark in experiment 1, and cut once or weekly at 2 cm length x 2 mm width of bark in experiment 2. Control plants were not subjected to partial ringing. Ringing reduced shoot and bark growth and increased flower bud and fruit set in comparison to the unringed control. Tree circumference was higher above the ringed portion than the lower part of partially ringed trees. Fruit weight and maturity degree were also higher in ringed trees than unringed ones. The results indicate that partial ringing can be used for dwarfing peach trees and enhancing fruit quality.