Sod Proximity Influences the Growth and Yield of Young Peach Trees

Abstract

Abstract Peach [ Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] trees were grown for four growing seasons within a tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) sod in vegetation-free squares ranging in size from 0.36 to 13.0 m 2 . Tree growth, leaf nitrogen, and fruit yield increased as the size of the vegetation-free area increased. A growth and field response plateau was reached at 9.0 m 2 . Tree growth was proportional to the size of the vegetation-free area throughout the length of the study. The magnitude of leaf nitrogen response declined with years. The fescue sod apparently restricted the effective root zone of the trees, thus controlling growth by limiting the volume of soil the tree could use.