Fourteen peach (Prunus persica L. Batsch) and nectarine cultivars and selections, budded on Okinawa rootstock, were grown under the meadow orchard system, with biennial drastic pruning at 4 x 1.5 m spacing. Results obtained during ten years of experiments (1986-95) clearly indicate that 'Aurora-1', IAC 680-178, IAC 680-13, 'Talismã', 'Régis' and 'Flordaprince' peaches were the best, with an average yield (fruits) per tree of 112, 9.2; 94, 8.5; 95, 8.1; 99, 8.1; 98, 7.8 and 91, 7.7 number and kg/tree respectively. The biennial drastic pruning decreased the yield of trees every two years, without affecting the average decennial productivity. In 1995, data on trunk cross-sectional area, fruits and mass per cm² of trunk and leaf area presented significant differences among cultivars and selections.
Prunus persica; cultural practice; IAC selections; longevity of tree; productivity; vigor; leaf area
