The objective of this work was to evaluate techniques which make possible the production of peaches of high quality by improving external characteristics, percent of red cover color, fruit size, and chemical characteristics that influence flavor, in a field peach of cultivar Maciel, in Pelotas, RS, Brazil. Effects evaluated were: vegetative pruning, the use of two types of reflective plastics under the plant canopy, the different potassium chloride concentrations incorporated to the soil, with and without foliar aplication of KCl, and the use of antitranspirant. The experiment was carried out in a randomized block design. The results showed that the use of 1,200 g of KCl applied to soil, combined with 10 g of KCl as foliar application and vegetative pruning, provided intense red coloration of the peaches epidermis. The use of 1,600 g of KCl in the soil, combined with green pruning, resulted in higher average weight, larger diameter and low titratable acidity. Soil cover with raffia plastic under plant canopy, combined with green pruning, resulted in higher soluble solids content in the fruits. These practics during preharvest influence positively the final quality of cultivar Maciel peaches.
Prunus persica; epidermis coloration; preference of consumer
