Peach (Prunus persica) is a temperate fruit rich in proteins, sugar, minerals and vitamins. Introduction of the cultivated peaches probably took place in the latter half of the 19th century. Today, it is being grown in the midhill zone of the Himalayas extending from Jammu and Kashmir to Khasi hills 1,000–2,000m above mean sea-level. Low-chilling peaches are grown in submountaineous region and Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and western Uttar Pradesh. It is also being grown to a limited scale in the hills of south India and in the north-eastern region of the country.
Climate and Soil
Peaches require humid climate with cold winter and dry summer. It is moderately winter hardy and sensitive to low temperature injury. Swelling buds are injured at –6.5°C. Sites which are free from early spring frost are more suitable as peaches bloom early in the season. The blooming period can be delayed by the application of Gibberellic acid (200ppm) before leaf fall or by application of Ethephon, to avoid the risk of spring frost. Deep valleys are not ideal sites because cold air settles in these areas, and frost and freeze injuries are very common. The land with gentle slope is ideal. However, on steep slopes peach should be planted preferably in the mid portion.
Deep sandy loam soil rich in organic matter is best for its successful cultivation. Peaches are highly susceptible to waterlogging and prefer perfect drainage. Fertile and heavy soils are hazardous as it makes heavy growth and hence results in winter injury. The pH of the soil should be between 5.8 and 6.8. Acidic and saline soils are unfit for peach cultivation.
Varieties
Important peach varieties recommended for temperate regions of different states are given in the Table 1.
Besides these varieties, Stark Earlyglo, Stark Early, White Giant, Starking Delicious and Candor are new promising peaches for midhills of Himachal Pradesh; Flordasun, Dawn Rambler and Dawn Rose for subtropical regions of north India; Safeda Early Cream and SRE 6 for tarai region of Uttar Pradesh; and Prairie Dawn, Praire Rambler and Praire Rose for cold areas of dry temperate regions (Table 1).
Table 1. Peach varieties recommended for different states
State Early Mid-season Late
Himachal Pradesh Alton, World’s Earliest, Early White Giant, Redhaven, Stark Red Gold July Elberta, Kanto 5, Shimizu Hakuto, Sunhaven J.H. Hale
Uttar Pradesh (midhills) Early Candor, Redhaven, Sunhaven July Elberta, Alexander, Crawford Early Parrot Delux, J.H. Hale, Peregrine
Jammu and Kashmir Peshwari, Quetta, July Elberta, Saharanpur Prabhat J.H. Hale Alexander and CO Smith
Climate and Soil
Peaches require humid climate with cold winter and dry summer. It is moderately winter hardy and sensitive to low temperature injury. Swelling buds are injured at –6.5°C. Sites which are free from early spring frost are more suitable as peaches bloom early in the season. The blooming period can be delayed by the application of Gibberellic acid (200ppm) before leaf fall or by application of Ethephon, to avoid the risk of spring frost. Deep valleys are not ideal sites because cold air settles in these areas, and frost and freeze injuries are very common. The land with gentle slope is ideal. However, on steep slopes peach should be planted preferably in the mid portion.
Deep sandy loam soil rich in organic matter is best for its successful cultivation. Peaches are highly susceptible to waterlogging and prefer perfect drainage. Fertile and heavy soils are hazardous as it makes heavy growth and hence results in winter injury. The pH of the soil should be between 5.8 and 6.8. Acidic and saline soils are unfit for peach cultivation.
Varieties
Important peach varieties recommended for temperate regions of different states are given in the Table 1.
Besides these varieties, Stark Earlyglo, Stark Early, White Giant, Starking Delicious and Candor are new promising peaches for midhills of Himachal Pradesh; Flordasun, Dawn Rambler and Dawn Rose for subtropical regions of north India; Safeda Early Cream and SRE 6 for tarai region of Uttar Pradesh; and Prairie Dawn, Praire Rambler and Praire Rose for cold areas of dry temperate regions (Table 1).
Table 1. Peach varieties recommended for different states
State Early Mid-season Late
Himachal Pradesh Alton, World’s Earliest, Early White Giant, Redhaven, Stark Red Gold July Elberta, Kanto 5, Shimizu Hakuto, Sunhaven J.H. Hale
Uttar Pradesh (midhills) Early Candor, Redhaven, Sunhaven July Elberta, Alexander, Crawford Early Parrot Delux, J.H. Hale, Peregrine
Jammu and Kashmir Peshwari, Quetta, July Elberta, Saharanpur Prabhat J.H. Hale Alexander and CO Smith
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