Variability in Flower Bud Number Among Peach and Nectarine Cultivars

Abstract

Abstract Thirty-six peach and nectarine [ Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] cultivars were evaluated for flower bud number (flower buds/node) over 2 years. Cultivar, year, and year × cultivar effects were highly significant. Cultivars released from California breeding programs generally had fewer flower buds than those from eastern U.S. programs, suggesting that selection for cropping consistency in eastern breeding programs has resulted in release of cultivars with many flower buds. Variance component estimates from this study and from 2 years of sampling trees of ‘Redhaven’ indicates that sampling over years and increasing the number of shoots sampled per tree is warranted. Variability among trees within cultivar was low.