Journal of Bio-Environment Control 생물환경조절학회지 ISSN:1229-4675(Print) 2765-3641(Online)

This study was conducted to determine the optimal irrigation starting point by analyzing tree growth, physiological responses, fruit quality, and productivity in peach orchards. Seven-year-old ‘Kawanakajima Hakuto’ peach trees were used in an experimental field (35°49′30.4″N, 127°01′33.2″E) located within the National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science located in Wanju-gun, Jeollabuk-do. The irrigation starting point was set with four levels of –20, –40, –60, and –80 kPa from June to September 2022. While there were no significant differences in increase of trunk cross-section area and leaf area among treatments, shoot length and diameter decreased in the –80 kPa and –20 kPa treatments. The photosynthetic rate measured in August was highest for –60 kPa (17.7 μmol·m^-2·s^-1), followed by –40 kPa (15.6 μmol·m^-2·s^-1), –20 kPa (14.5 μmol·m^-2·s^-1) and –80 kPa (14.0 μmol·m^-2·s^-1). SPAD value measured in May and August was lower in the –80 kPa and –20 kPa treatments than in the –60 kPa and –40 kPa treatments. The harvest date reached three days earlier in the –20 kPa treatment compared to other treatments. The fruit weight was highest in the –60 kPa (379.1 g), followed by –40 kPa (344.0 g), –80 kPa (321.0 g) and –20 kPa (274.9 g). Firmness was the lowest in the –20 kPa treatment. The soluble solid content was highest in the –60 kPa treatment (13.3°Bx).The ratio of marketable fruits was highest in the –60 kPa treatment (50.7%) and lowest in the –80 kPa treatment (23.4%). In conclusion, we suggest that setting the irrigation starting point at –60 kPa could improve the fruit quality and yield in peach orchards.