Prognosis and correction of iron chlorosis in peach trees: Influence on fruit quality

Abstract

A floral analysis for iron (Fe) content allowed for the prognosis of the incidence of the Fe chlorosis on peach (Prunus persica L. Batsch) trees (c.v. 'Babygold 7' grafted on seedlings) with high reliability. From a total of 35 peach trees analyzed, six of them had floral Fe dry matter concentrations less than 133 ppm and these six trees later developed severe Fe chlorosis in their leaves. The early detection and correction of Fe deficiency permitted us to measure the influence of Fe chlorosis on fruit quality as Fe correction resulted in a doubling of fruit size and avoidance of the delay of fruit ripeness that occurred on the Fe-deficient trees.