Amount of Production; Our country produces about 532 thousand tons of peach every year. Turkey takes the sixth place in peach joined with nectarine production reaches about 608 thousand tons of production. Where China comes in the first place by its production that reaches 12 million tons follow by İtaly , Spain , USA and Greece.
Soil and Climate Requirements; Main branch and trunk of peach and nectarine trees resist up to -20C0 and flowers are damaged in -2, 4C0 in early Spring. Young fruits are more sensitive to frosts than the flowers. Peach can be planted in Aegean, Marmara, Mediterranean and Southeastern Regions up to 800 m altitude. Cooling requirements change between 350-1300 hours. Non-heavy textured, well-drained, loamy, alluvial, PH degree 6,5-7,5 soils are the best ones for peach growing.
Use of Rootstock; Generative seed rootstocks of some species and seed rootstocks such as Nemaguard and GF-305 resistant to nematode are preferred for peach and nectarines. In recent years, GF 677, GF 557, Gadaman, GN -15 and GN -22 peach almond hybrid rootstocks are used in soils with nematode problem and with a lime rate of over 10%. These rootstocks can grow in limited irrigation possibilities besides their roots are resistant to root tumor nematode.
If the peach will be grown in heavy textured soils (water holding capacity over 70%), gardens should be planted with stocks grafted onto the Myrobalan 29-C, Marianna, Saint Julien-A MR.S- 2/5 plum clone rootstocks or hybrid of plum and peach Citation clone rootstock. However, incompatibility may be apparent on some peach species. The garden should be planted in 6x5m, 5x5 m on peach rootstocks, 5x4 m on GF 677 and Gadaman peach almond rootstocks, and 5x3 m on Myrobalan 29 C and Saint Julien-A rootstocks.
Cultivation System; Goble cultivation system called as the open vase shaped is the most commonly used method. In addition, V, Y(tatura) and different peak branch cultivation systems are applied.
Important Peach Species; From early yielding to late yielding respectively, Francoise, Rich May, Springcrest, Maycrest, Royal Gem, Rich Lady, Blazing Gold, Redhaven, Glohaven, Red Globe, Rome Star, Elagent Lady, J.H. Hale, Monreo, Rio Oso Gem, Red Star.
Important Nectarine Species; May Glo, May Free, Big Bang Silver King, Super Red, Armking, Adriana, Silver Splended, Caldesi 2000, Big Top, Star Red Gold, Fantasia, Venus, Morsiani -51, Silver Late, Fairlane, Caldesi 85, Caldesi 2020.
Diseases and Pests; Leaf Leeches, Cochineals, Mediterranean Fruit Fly, Eastern Fruit Moth and root tumor nematodes are the important ones. Root Cancer, powdery mildew, monilia, Coryneum beijerinckii, Taphrina deformans, Plum dwarf virus (PDV), CNRV (Clorotic Necrotic Ring Spot Virus) and PPV are among the important ones.
