Covering of peach (Prunus persica) flowers for early spring frost protection

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the covering of peach (Prunus persica) flowers by single and double layered polyethylene foil bag, foam (starch‐based foam), thin vermiculite, perlite, or sawdust as methods of protection from early spring frost. Compared with uncovered flowers, the results showed that using a double bag or foam significantly reduced the percentage of damaged flowers caused by low temperatures. In contrast, no significant differences in damaged flowers were found between flowers covered with thin vermiculite, perlite, a single bag, or sawdust compared with those uncovered (control). The existence of the ice nucleation bacterium Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae in the peach flowers of four cultivars was also investigated. It was not found in any peach flowers of ‘ArmKing’, ‘Silver King’, ‘May Grand’, or ‘Andross’ examined by ELISA.

Key words:

• covering
• early spring frost
• peach
• protection