Peach yield per hectare, Harvesting methods, and Storage

Peach yields

The peach and nectarine fruit yield highly depends on the variety, the training and pruning system applied, the planting distances, the environmental condition, and the agricultural practices (e.g., fertilization, irrigation, and plant protection). Some of these factors should be examined in combination with one another. For example, for varieties with extensive growth tendency, it is best to be planted at larger distances, in an open center training system, and not pruned too heavily. On the other hand, when we have more medium-growth/productivity varieties, trees should be planted closer together to achieve higher yields per hectare. More specifically, when a planting distance of 3.5 x 1 m was chosen, the yields per hectare were maximized (compared to larger planting distances) for the Sunprince, Early O’ Henry, Autumn Glo, Max 7, and Vincanka varieties. 

A good yield of a mature commercial orchard of 500-800 open center (open vase) trained peaches per hectare is about 25-40 tons per hectare (22,304 – 35,687 pounds per acre). However, keep in mind that there can be significant deviations from these numbers. Generally, one mature peach or nectarine tree can produce 2-3 bushels, 55 to 150 pounds, or 25-68 kg of fruits.

When to harvest peach fruits

The right time for peach harvesting depends mainly on the variety and the location (microclimate) of the peach orchard. Most peaches are ready to be harvested by the time they have reached the preferable size and color (yellow/orange or red) of their variety and start to become softer and can be detached more easily from the tree. Growers need to harvest peaches at the right time since the sugars and aromatic substances do not increase after the fruits have been removed/harvested from the tree. However, peaches should not be fully ripe and soft because they will be damaged while harvested and stored (very short shelf life). Peach growers start harvesting peaches from late spring to early autumn. Since not all fruits are ripe at the same time, the peach grower may need to perform 2-5 harvest sessions per season, something that dramatically increases costs. 

The fruits can bruise easily and thus lose their commercial value. Consequently. the peaches that will be sold for raw consumption are harvested carefully by hand, twisting them a bit while pulling them gently. However, peaches that are going to be sold for processing (canning) are harvested mechanically by large harvesters. 

Storing conditions for peach and nectarines 

Peach bruises very easily, so the workers-farmers should be extra careful when handling them, minimize the number of times the fruit is transferred, and change containers to the minimum necessary. To preserve the fruits’ quality, the farmers need to cool them rapidly soon after harvest and store them at a temperature of 33-40°F (0.5-4.5 °C) and 90-95% relative humidity. However, even in such conditions, peaches have relatively short storage (self) life (max 2-3 weeks, depending on the ripening level of the fruit). Peaches can be frizzed, canned (sliced or as a whole fruit), used for jams or juice production, dried, or sold as fresh fruits for raw consumption. 

References

• https://extension.missouri.edu/publications/g6030
• https://www.researchgate.net/figure
• https://www.researchgate.net/publication/
• https://www.foodbankcny.org/assets/Documents/Fruit-conversion-chart.pdf
• https://extension.okstate.edu/fact-sheets/planting-and-early-care-of-the-peach-orchard.html#cultivars
• https://ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/422/422-019/SPES-232.pdf
• https://www.johnson.k-state.edu/lawn-garden/agent-articles/fruit/peachharvesting.html

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Peach Tree Soil Requirements, Soil Preparation, and Planting

Propagation and Pollination of Peach trees

How to Train and Prune Peach Trees

Irrigating Peach Trees – How much Water do Peach Trees need?

Peach Tree Fertilizer Requirements

Peach yield per hectare, Harvesting methods, and Storage

Peach Pests and Diseases