Thirteen peach and five nectarine cultivars and selections were evaluated by biennial drastic pruning at spacings of 4m x 0.5m; 4m x 1.0m and 4m x 1.5m corresponding to densities of 5,000; 2,500 and 1,667 plants per hectare, respectively. The experimental area was located in Monte Alegre do Sul (22o41'S; 46o43'W and 40 hours below 7oC) State of São Paulo, Brazil. From 1991 to 1994 seven phenological variables were recorded: bud density based on the average number of buds per meter of branch and flower and leaf buds per node, fruit set, fruit development period, fruit weight and harvest season. The best vegetative and reprodutive development was observed in Talismã, Aurora-1, Aurora-2, Jóia-1, Tropical and Flordaprince, presenting the following values: above 40 nodes per meter, 2.50 flower and leaf buds per node and 40% of fruit set. The earliest ripening cultivar: Flordaprince, Tropical and IAC 282-24 ripened in late September to early October between 80 and 85 days after full bloom. The fruit weigths were higher in Douradão, above 120 g for the three planting densities. All the peaches and nectarines adapted very well to the meadow orchard system, on biannual drastic pruning.
peach; nectarine; Prunus persica; phenology; peach meadow; drastic pruning; evaluation; germplasm