Date of Award:
5-1975
Document Type:
Thesis
Degree Name:
Master of Science (MS)
Department:
Plants, Soils, and Climate
Department name when degree awarded
Plant Science
Committee Chair(s)
David R. Walker
Committee
David R. Walker
Committee
Orson Cannon
Committee
Arlo Richardson
Abstract
Studies were conducted to better understand the effect of temperature, photoperiod, cultural practices, and growth regulators on the hardening and dehardening of peach tree wood.
Greenhouses were constructed to control temperatures to which peach trees were exposed. It was noted that hardening and dehardening usually followed the temperature fluctuation fairly closely. However, trees exposed to temperatures above 60 F (15.6 C) became hardy to 0 F (-17.8 C).
A photoperiodic response in regard to an increase or decrease in hardiness was not definitely observed in peach wood. Extended photoperiod did not produce any significant effect on hardiness. Defoliation, bloom date, and fruit set were all the same as the controls.
The cultural practices of fall pruning and heavy late summer fertilization with nitrogen did not result in a change in the hardiness level of the trees when compared with the controls. Likewise gibberellic acid spray had no effect.
Defoliation produced serious physiological damage when done in mid-August, while defoliation in mid-September was not nearly so damaging. Defoliated trees were less hardy than the controls until mid winter.
Checksum
401bc80f8244af3fb842680b9d00e765
Recommended Citation
Sagers, Larry A., "The Effect of Environment and Cultural Practices on the Cold Hardiness of Peach Wood" (1975). All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023. 3604.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/3604
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