Preliminary results of peach cultivation (Persica vulgaris Mill.) in Moscow and in the Moscow and Vladimir regions

Abstract

Peaches have been grown in Moscow since 1984 at the Main Botanical Garden of the RAS, then in the territories of monasteries in Moscow, the Moscow region and the Vladimir region. Propagation is carried out by sowing own seeds. At present the trees of the III own generation of peaches bear fruits and the IV generation is growing. 2 cultivars of peach are registered in the State Register – Pijon and Vratar, several promising cultivars with excellent fruit qualities have been received and 4 forms of peach have been obtained, resistant to curlyleaves. When comparing the physiology of peach with apricot, interesting differences between these related genera were revealed. It turned out that there were more positive qualities for the peach. The main advantage of the peach is its higher threshold of sensitivity to positive temperatures, the peach is not as quick as the apricot in reacting to the thaw, and the peach is less affected by the bark rotting. The peach has a longer endodormancy period, it blossoms later. All peaches are self-fertilized or partially self-fertilized. The main disadvantage of peach is its low frost resistance. Differences between peaches and nectarines are noted. The germination rate of nectarine seeds is almost 2 times higher than the germination of peach seeds.