Year effect on blooming and harvesting time and fruit weight in two peach varieties grown under Sais valley climatic conditions

Abstract

Morocco is country concerned by climate warming, phenomenon affecting fruit tree phenology and yield. The present study aims at evaluating blooming and maturity date, fruit weight and yield of two peach varieties grown under Sais Valley conditions during three consecutive years (2017 to 2019). The results showed that, for both varieties, the flowering time was 7 days earlier in 2017 than in 2018. Temperatures were highest in 2017 than in other years of study. For both varieties, the maturity date was earliest in 2017 and 2019, compared to that recorded in 2018. During fruit growth period, the temperatures were higher in 2017 and 2019 compared to those recorded in 2018. The fruit weight was significantly low during the warmest years. From year to year, the fluctuation of flowering and maturity date of the peach in Sais Valley might be related to the variability of temperatures. The warmest years were characterized by early flowering and fruit maturity and low fruit weight.