Investigation of yield and quality parameters depending on the varying shoot number in 'Divadona' and 'Zumba' flat peach varieties

This thesis study was carried out on 3-year-old Divadona and Zumba peach varieties, grafted onto Garnem rootstock, planted at 3x5 m distances between rows and rows and pruned with the Mikado pruning system, located at an altitude of approximately 105 m above sea level in Dadalı village of Tarsus in 2023. The aim of the research was to increase yield and fruit quality according to the varying number of shoots and fruits left on each main branch. It is also important in terms of saving labor in fruit thinning. In trees pruned with the Mikado system, 3 different applications were made, leaving 14-17 (control) and 20 shoots on each main branch. The phenological development stages, yield and pomological characteristics of the varieties were examined. In terms of fruit weight, Zumba variety had higher values than Divadona variety. The highest fruit weight in Zumba variety was obtained as 102.35 gr in the application where 20 shoots were left, and the highest yield per tree and yield per decare were obtained from trees of Zumba variety where 20 shoots were left (33kg - 2178kg). In both varieties, yield per tree and yield per decare were lower than other applications in the applications where 14 shoots were left. There is a statistical difference between varieties in terms of Water Soluble Solids Amount and the highest value was determined as 11.93% in Zumba application 14. There was no statistical difference between varieties in fruit height, fruit length and SPAD values.