ARS | Publication request: APRICOTS AND PEACHES

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: November 28, 1994
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: Peaches and apricots have been cultivated by humans for thousands of years. As these crops followed settlers and invading armies they have been spread throughout the world. In the past century, the development of new cultivars through breeding has brought these fruit crops to commercial prominence. The production of peaches and apricots for fresh and processing markets depends upon the coordination of a series of technical processes including fertilization, pruning, insect and disease control, fruit thinning and harvesting. Proper orchard establishment, including site and variety selection, is the basis upon which subsequent operations depend. This chapter outlines the history of the peach and apricot, and discusses production techniques for the commercial orchard.