The Stone Fruit Field Day at the UF/IFAS Plant Science Research and Education Unit bridges scientific research and practical innovations in Florida's peach industry. Led by Dr. Ali Sarkhosh and Dr. José Chaparro, the event continues to adapt and progress.
Dr. Sarkhosh, who joined UF almost eight years ago, shifted focus toward diversifying Florida's fruit portfolio amid citrus industry challenges due to citrus greening. Collaborating with Dr. José Chaparro, he explored peaches as a transition crop for citrus producers. Peaches require precise management but present a pathway to profitability, offering potential returns that surpass juice-oriented crops.
A highlighted topic this year was high-density planting systems for peaches. These systems aim to optimize efficiency and labor reduction by integrating mechanization and precision management. "This high-density trial represents one of the few studies of its kind conducted in the southeastern United States," stated Jonathan Clavijo Herrera, Post-Doctoral Associate in the Horticultural Sciences Department. Clavijo Herrera emphasized that mechanization simplifies key practices like pruning and improves canopy light interception and pesticide application coverage. The closer tree spacing enables fine-tuning of inputs and evaluation of cultivar performance under production pressures.
Thinning redirects tree energy to fewer fruits, producing larger, uniform peaches meeting market and consumer standards. Thinning becomes vital to meet commercial demands, as retailers prefer fruit with a diameter of at least 2¼ inches. Leaving too many fruits results in resource competition, impacting fruit quality. The UF stone fruit program, besides assisting commercial growers, develops varieties suitable for backyard growers and small farms, focusing on flavor, disease resistance, and chill-hour compatibility.
Florida's climate presents both opportunities and challenges in stone fruit production. UF's breeding program, spanning over 60 years, develops peach and plum cultivars for the state's unique conditions, considering climate and timing. Low-chill varieties, developed for Florida's warmer winters, ensure regular fruit production. To compete, Florida's harvest aims for mid-March to mid-May, avoiding competition from larger markets in Georgia, South Carolina, and California.
Research extends beyond fruit, addressing rootstock development to tackle Florida's issues like variable chill hours and root-knot nematodes. Aligning plant genetics with climate and refining orchard management practices is vital. Dr. Sarkhosh mentioned, "These crops offer profitable, fresh-market alternatives. Fruit quality is key."
Source: UF Blog