Greenhouse Forced and Field Growing of ‘Maravilha’ Peach

Abstract

Ownrooted ‘Maravilha’ potted peach trees were investigated under field and greenhouse conditions to determine the effect of the environment on the development of fruits and apical shoots. Higher greenhouse temperatures soon after bloom hastened fruit growth rate and shortened the fruit development period without influencing harvested fruit size. Field temperatures during the Stage I of fruit growth were likely to be cooler than the optimum. Furthermore, Stage II of fruit growth was prolonged under field conditions thus fruits grown in the greenhouse from bloom onward reached harvest maturity 9 days earlier than those growing in the field. Absolute and relative shoot growth was enhanced by higher greenhouse temperatures.