Effects of partial ringing and heating of trunk on shoot growth and fruit quality of peach trees

Small-sized peach (Prunus persica [L.] Batsch.) trees for commercial fruit production have not been available due to the lack of suitable dwarfing rootstocks that have a wide range of compatibility among cultivars. Effects of partial girdling and trunk heating on the growth, yield, and fruit quality of peach were studied. A 4 cm wide partial ring of bark was removed at a height of 25 cm from the ground leaving a connecting strip of 5 mm. Furthermore, the de-barked spot was heated at 150°C for fifteen minutes using an electric heater. The partial girdling was effective in reducing shoot growth and improving fruit quality. The total soluble solids content of fruit in treatment trees was higher than that of control. The heating had little additive effects over partial ringing.