Botanical Studies (2006) 47: 251-257.
*
Corresponding author: E-mail: sharifhort@yahoo.com; Tel:
81-89-993-1636.
INTRODUCTION
Many techniques are involved in making dwarfed
fruit trees. Among them, partially ringed bark strip is an
important one. Small, compact, dwarfed or size-controlled
fruit trees provide easier pruning, thinning, spraying and
harvesting, as well as high yields of high-grade fruit and
a lower cost of production (Tukey, 1978). Tukey reported
that ringing tends to increase the size and sugar content
of fruit and to cause the fruit to mature a few days to a
week earlier. The primary factor limiting the use of size
controlling rootstocks in stone fruit production is the
lack of suitable rootstocks that have wide compatibility
among cultivars (De Jong et al., 2001). Jose (1997) found
lower vegetative growth in all the treatments of ringing
(girdling) in relation to control in mango trees. Arakawa
et al. (1997) reported that trunk growth above the girdling
significantly increased and that trunk growth below the
girdling declined. Sitton (1949) reported that the increase
in trunk girth above the girdling might be caused by
an accumulation of carbohydrates. The reason for the
different responses among cultivars is not known.
Arakawa et al. (1997) stated that girdling in apple
significantly increased flowering the following spring.
Girdling changed the fruit quality (increased SSC and
reduced acid concentration) confirming the observations
of previous reports by Elfving et al., 1991 and Greene
and Lord, 1983. Schneider (1954) stated that girdling
blocks the translocation of sucrose from leaves to the
root zone through phloem bundles. The block decreases
starch content in the root system and accumulation of
sucrose in the leaves (Plaut and Reinhold, 1967). Onguso
et al. (2004) reported that partial ringing (cut once) ([4
cm × 5 mm] of four-year-old peach trees [var. ‘Akatsuki
× Banto’]) reduced shoot growth and developing fruit
quality. Different types of partial ringing ([4 cm × 2 mm]
and [4 cm × 5 mm]) using five-year-old peach trees (var.
‘Hikawahakuho’) were performed in these experiments.
We used different varieties, tree ages, and partial ringing
techniques (cut once, cut one week, cut fortnightly, and cut
continuous) to study the maximum and minimum effect of
treatments on the shoot growth, fruit yield, and quality in
different years.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Site
The experiment was carried out in an orchard in the
Ehime University Farm located in southern Japan, 33°57
N, 132°47 E at an elevation of about 20 m above sea level.
PHYSIOLOGY
Dwarfing peach trees and development of fruit quality by
maintaining partially ringed bark strips as an innovative
process in dwarfing technology
A.B.M. SHARIF HOSSAIN*, Fusao MIZUTANI, Justus M. ONGUSO, and Ali Ramadan EL-
SHEREIF
The Experimental Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, Ehime University, Hattanji 498, Matsuyama, Ehime-799-2424, Japan
(Received July 27, 2005; Accepted January 18, 2006)
ABSTRACT.
The effects of partial ringing (bark ringing) on size control of peach (Prunus persica Batsch
var. ‘Hikawahakuho’) wild form (rootstock from seedling) trees was studied. Partial ringing was done on the
trunk 4 cm long leaving a connecting strip of bark 2 mm wide (Experiment I) or 5 mm wide (Experiment II).
In these experiments, treatments included an un-ringed (control), mid cut once (4 cm × 2 mm ring) and mid
cut continuously with attached razor blade (Experiment I), cut once (4 cm × 5 mm ring) and cut fortnightly
(Experiment II). Shoot growth was lower in the partially ringed trees than control. Bark growth resembled
shoot growth. Flower bud was higher in partial ringed trees (cut once and cut fortnightly) than control.
Moreover, trunk circumference was higher in the above ring and lower in the below ring of partially ringed
trees. Fruit wt
-1
was higher in partially ringed trees than in control. Soluble solid content was higher, and acid
content lower, than control in partially ringed trees. The results show that 97-99% partially ringed bark strips
can be effectively used to reduce peach tree size.
Keywords: Dwarfing peach; Fruit quality; Partial ringing.
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Botanical Studies, Vol. 47, 2006
The site enjoys a mild temperate climate characterized
by hot humid summers and cold dry winters. The soil is
sandy loam with a pH of 5.7.
Plant materials
Experiment 1
.
Three-year-old peach (Prunus persica
Batsch var. ‘Hikawahakuho’) trees, wild form (grafted
from seedling stocks), were used in this experiment in
May 2001. The trees were spaced at 1.0 m × 1.5 m. The
bark was cut 4 cm × 2 mm (bark length × bark width). The
treatments included a control, partial ringing cut one week
(bark disconnected for one week) and partial ringing mid
cut continuous (bark disconnected every week) as shown
in Figure 1. In the treatment of partial ringing mid cut one
week (bark disconnected for one week) razor blades were
attached to the middle of the 2 mm bark width for one
week. After one week the razor blades were removed. For
the treatment of partial ringing mid cut continuous (bark
disconnected every week) razor blades were attached to
the middle of the 2 mm bark width for 12 weeks. Partial
ringing was done by removing a partial ring 4 cm long
and leaving a connecting strip 2 mm width in the trunk
(main stem), 30 cm above from the soil level (Figure 1C).
There were three treatments each with four replications
used in the experiment. Ten shoots per tree were tagged
to count new shoot length. The parameters were recorded
as follows: new shoot length, total, bark width, total shoot
length, and pruned shoot weight.
Experiment 2
.
Five-year-old peach (Prunus persica
Batsch var. ‘Hikawahakuho’) trees, wild form (grafted
from seedling stocks), were used in this experiment in
May 2003. The trees were spaced at 1.3 m × 2.0 m in a
completely randomized design. Weeding, irrigation, and
insecticide were applied as required. Partial ringing was
done by removing a partial ring 4 cm long and leaving a
connecting strip 5 mm wide in the trunk (main stem) 30
cm above soil level (Figure 1C). The experiment had three
treatments each with four replications. The treatments
were control (no ringing), partial ringing (cut once), and
partial ringing (cut fortnightly). Total shoot length, total
bark width, pruned shoot weight, percent flower bud, and
trunk circumference were measured after tree growth
stopped. The experiment was continued until 2004, but the
treatments were applied once in 2003.
Figure 1. Photo shows the partial ringing structure in the trunk of peach tree. A = 4 cm × 2 mm partial ringing mid cut one week.
Razor blade was attached in the bark strip and removed after one week; B = 4 cm × 2 mm partial ringing mid cut continuous. Bark
(Phloem) was disconnected by razor blade in the middle position of bark strip; C = Drawing shows partial ringing position and
structure in the trunk.
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SHARIF HOSSAIN et al. — Dwarfing peach trees by maintaining partially ringed bark strips
253
Figu re 2. New shoot growth in peac h tre e as affecte d by
partially ringed bark strips. Vertical bars indicate SE (n=4). PR
= Partial ringing, mid cut one week and continuous mean razor
blade was attached for one week to and then removed from
the middle portion of bark strip. But in continuous razor blade
treatment it remained for 12 weeks.
Fi gu re 3. Total s hoot length in peach tree as a ffecte d by
partially ringed bark strip. Vertical bars indicate SE (n=4). PR =
Partial ringing.
Fruit harvest in 2003 and 2004
Fruit was harvested in early July 2003. Fruit number
per tree, and fruit weight were recorded immediately
after harvest. Five fruits per tree were randomly selected
and used to determine soluble solid content and titratable
acidity. Soluble solid content (SSC) was measured with
refractometer (Atago PR-1), and titratable acidity (TA)
was determined by titration with 0.1 N NaOH with
phenolphthalein as an indicator.
The experiment was continued until fruit harvesting in
2004. Only fruit data were measured. Fruit were harvested
on 28 June 2004. Fruit number per tree and fruit weight
were recorded immediately after harvest. Ten fruits per
tree were randomly selected and used to determine soluble
solid content and titratable acidity. Both were determined
as mentioned above.
RESULTS
Experiment 1
The effect of partial ringing cut one week and partial
ringing mid cut continuous on new shoot growth was
recorded (Figure 2). Growth was lower in partial ringing
mid cut one week and partial ringing mid cut continuous
than in control trees. Total shoot length was measured
after growth had stopped (Figure 3). The lowest shoot
length was recorded in partial ringing mid cut continuous.
Shoot length between control and partial ringing mid cut
one week and mid cut continuous treated trees showed a
large difference. Bark growth (thickness) was measured
for 12 weeks (May-August) to study the relationship
between bark and shoot growth (Figure 4). In partial
ringing mid cut continuous bark width remained 2 mm,
and all plants withered due to the razor blade barrier
which prohibited the cambial re-combinations. In partial
ringing mid cut one week, bark width increased after the
razor blade barrier was removed. The increase began
slowly and later slowed down before stopping completely.
The weight of shoot removed by winter pruning was
measured for all treatments (Figure 5). The lowest shoot
Figure 4. Bark growth (measured weekly) in peach trees as
affected by partially ringed bark strip plus mid cut. Vertical bars
indicate SE (n=4). PR = Partial ringing.
Figure 5. Effect of partially ringed bark strip on pruned shoot
weight of peach tree. Vertical bars indicate SE (n=4). P R =
Partial ringing.
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Botanical Studies, Vol. 47, 2006
Figure 6. Correlation between bark thickness and shoot growth
as affected by partially ringed bark strip. PR = Partial ringing.
Figure 7. Effect of partial ringing on total shoot length of peach
trees. Vertical bars indicate SE (n = 4). PR = Partial ringing.
Figu re 8. Effect of partial ringing on final bark thicknes s
of peach tree. Vertical bars indicate SE (n = 4). P R = Partial
ringing. Fi nal bark wi dth wa s me asured a ft er tree growt h
stopped
Figure 9. Effect of partial ringing on pruned shoot weight
of peach trees. Vertical bars indicate SE (n = 4). PR = Partial
ringing.
Figure 10. Effect of partial ringing on the flower bud of peach
trees.Vertical bars indicate SE (n = 4). PR = Partial ringing.
Figure 11. Effect of partial ringing on trunk circumference
above from ringing. Vertical bars indicate SE (n = 4). PR =
Partial ringing.
weight was recorded in partial ringing mid cut one week
treated trees. In mid cut continuously treated trees, there
was no shoot weight because all shoots had withered due
to disconnection of the cambial layer by razor blade. The
relationship between bark thickness and shoot growth was
strong as shown in Figure 6.
Experiment 2
The effect of partial ringing, cut once and cut
fortnightly, of bark on shoot growth was recorded (Figure
7). The lowest shoot length was recorded in partial
ringing (cut fortnightly) treated trees, and the highest
was recorded in the control trees. Final bark growth
(thickness) was observed to study the relationship between
bark thickness and shoot growth (Figure 8). Bark growth
was lower in partial ringing (cut fortnightly) compared
with partial ringing (cut once). Pruned shoot weight was
measured (Figure 9). It was lower in partially ringed trees
than in control trees. Flower bud was counted (Figure 10).
Flower bud was higher in partial ringing treatments than in
control. Trunk circumference was higher in partial ringing
trees than in control (Figure 11).
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SHARIF HOSSAIN et al. — Dwarfing peach trees by maintaining partially ringed bark strips
255
Table 1. Effects of partial ringing (PR) on fruit yield of peach trees in 2003 and 2004.
Treatment
Yield (Kg/tree)
Fruit weight (g)
2003
2004
2003
2004
Control
3.4 ± 0.6
a
3.0 ± 0.3
181.4 ± 15.4
185.1 ± 10.4
PR (cut once)
3.0 ± 0.4
3.0 ± 0.5
185.1 ± 11.3
190.1 ± 2.2
PR (Cut fortnightly)
1.1 ± 0.2
1.2 ± 0.6
180.3 ± 14.5
188.0 ± 1.7
a
Mean ± SE (n=4); PR = Parartial ringing.
Table 2. Effect of partial ringing (PR) on soluble solid content and acid content of peach fruit in 2003 and 2004.
Treatment
Soluble solids content (%)
Acid content (%)
2003
2004
2003
2004
Control
7.10 ± 0.42
a
7.00 ± 0.32
0.46 ± 0.05
0.47 ± 0.06
PR (cut once)
7.60 ± 0.30
7.90 ± 0.29
0.38 ± 0.04
0.36 ± 0.05
PR (Cut fortnightly)
8.20 ± 0.28
8.40 ± 0.27
0.36 ± 0.02
0.35 ± 0.03
a
Mean ± SE (n=4); PR = Partial ringing.
Figure 12. Relationship between shoot length and bark thickness
in different treatments. PR1 = Partial ringing (cut fortnightly),
PR2 = Partial ringing (cut once).
The relationship between bark thickness and shoot
growth was shown in Figure 12 for different treatments.
The data makes clear that when bark growth was lower,
shoot growth was also lower. Conversely, when bark
growth was higher, shoot growth also rose. Fruit yield
was lower in partially ringed than in control trees (Table
1). However, fruit wt
-1
was higher in partial ringing trees
than in control in 2004. Soluble solid content (SSC) of
harvested fruit in the following season was greater, and
titratable acidity (TA) was lower in partial ringing than
control trees in both 2003 and 2004 (Table 2).
DISCUSSION
The results show that partial ringing is effective as a
dwarfing component in peach trees. In the first experiment
partial ringing cut once (in which bark was disconnected
for one week) was found to be more effective than
partial ringing mid cut continuous (in which bark was
disconnected every week). When the razor blade was
removed after one week, shoot and bark started to grow. In
contrast, when the razor blade was attached continuously,
shoot and bark stopped growing. In the second
experiment, it was found that partial ringing cut once and
cut fortnightly was more effective for tree dwarf and fruit
quality. In the case of partial ringing (cut fortnightly),
bark width (thickness) remained 5 mm for a fortnight.
That is why some trees withered. Among all treatments
the most effective was partial ringing (cut once). Shoot
growth was lower in 5 mm partial ringing (cut fortnightly)
than in partial ringing (cut once). This may be due to
less suppression of food movement between shoot and
root by bark ringing. Smooth carbohydrate transport
from leaves to roots through the phloem was suppressed
because the phloem was reduced in width by ringing. It
has been reported that nutrient sap might diffuse laterally
or vertically if normal phloem transport is checked by
ringing cut (Tukey, 1978). Tree circumference was higher
in partial ringing treatments.
Sitton (1949) reported that increases in trunk girth
above the girdling might be caused by swelling of the
trunk with the accumulation of carbohydrates while the
reason for different responses among cultivars is not
known. The percentage of flower buds was higher in
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Botanical Studies, Vol. 47, 2006
partially ringed trees than in control trees. This might
be due to a deposition of sufficient carbohydrates and
nutrients in the upper parts of ringing. Arakawa et al.
(1997) also found that flowering the following spring
in Fuji apple was significantly increased by girdling.
Arakawa et al. (1997) reported that growth of the trunk
above the treated area increased significantly and growth
below it was reduced by girdling in apple.
Tree circumference was higher in the upper parts in
the ringing treatments. Onguso et al. (2004) reported
that sugars and starch were higher in the upper parts of
the ring than in the lower parts. They also stated trunk
circumference was higher in the upper part in the ringing
treatments.
Johnson (1998) reported that photosynthates produced
in the leaves are partially and completely stopped from
reaching the roots by girdling. Hossain et al. (2004) found
that N and Ca were higher in partially ringed trees than
control. Johnson (1998) reported that 50% or more of
the stem circumference made girdling the plant would
probably die or hang on in a pretty unhealthy and ugly
state for a while. Arakawa et al. (1997) reported that 90%
girdling in apple trees might reduce growth. Our result
shows that peach tree can be dwarfed by applying 97-99%
girdling.
CONCLUSIONS
This study has shown that it is possible to make peach
tree dwarfed from vigorous rootstock by applying bark
ringing. The techniques include a new effect of 97%-99%
(2 mm bark strip in Experiment I and 5 mm bark strip
in Experiment II) bark ringing: the plant can survive in
addtion to being dwarfed effectively. Some researchers
have applied 50% and 90% ringing in other trees and
varieties, and those plants have survived and been
dwarfed. Some differences were highlighted, including
bark ringing in peach trees (var. ‘Hikawahakuho’)
maintained mid cut once with razor blade shock and cut
fortnightly than bark ringing maintained cut once what
usually done as girdling. In our result, we found that
partial ringing (mid cut once) and partial ringing (cut
fortnightly) were more effective than partial ringing (cut
once) and control (un-ringed) in reducing tree size. No
significant difference in fruit quality emerged. In addition,
the spraying of growth inhibitors as a dwarfing component
may cause environmental pollution. By contrast, bark
ringing reduces the cost of tree spray and labor. That is
why fruit tree growers can use this dwarfing technique
easily to control tree sizing.
Acknowledgements. The authors are grateful to the
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and
Technology, Japan for providing funds for this research.
LITERATURE CITED
Arakawa, O., K. Kanno, A. Kanetsuka, and Y. Shiozaki. 1997.
Effect of girdling and bark inversion on tree growth and
fruit quality of apple. Proc. 6. Int. S ymp. on Integrating
Canopy. Acta Hort. 451: 579-586.
De Jong, T.M., A. Weibel, W. Tsuji, J.F. Doyle, R.S. Johnson,
and D. Ramming. 2001. Evaluation of size controlling
rootstocks for California peach production. Acta Hort. 557:
103-110.
E l fv in g, D.C ., E. C. L oug he e d, a nd R. A. C l in e. 19 91 .
Daminozide root pruning, trunk scoring and trunk ringing
effects on fruit ripening and storage behavior of McIntosh
apple. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 116: 195-200.
Greene, D.W. and W.J. Lord. 1983. Effect of dormant pruning,
summer pruning, scoring and growth regulators on growth,
yield and fruit quality of Delicious and Cortland apple
trees. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 108: 590-595.
Hossain, A.B.M.S., F. Mizutani, and J.M. Onguso. 2004. Effect
of partial and complete ringing on carbohydrates, mineral
content and distribution pattern
13
C-photoas similates in
young peach trees. Asian J. Pl. Sci. 3: 498-507.
J ohns on, G. 1998. P lant health care update. A Newslet ter.
Minnesota University, Extension Service, Glenwood Ave.,
Minneapolis, pp. 1.
Jose, A. 1997. Effect of girdling treatments on flowering and
production of mango. Acta Hort. 455: 132-134.
Onguso, J.M., F. Mizutani, and A.B.M.S. Hossain. 2004. Effects
of partial ringing and heating of trunk on shoot growth
and fruit quality of peach trees. Bot. Bull. Acad. Sin. 45:
301-306.
Plaut, Z. and L. Reinhold. 1967. The effect of water stress on the
movement of
14
C-sucrose tritiated water within the supply
of leaves of young bean plants. Aust. J. Biol. Sci. 20:
297-307.
Schneider, H. 1954. Effect of trunk girdling on phloem of trunk
of sweet orange trees on sour orange rootstocks. Hilgardia
22: 593-601.
Sitton, B.G. 1949. The effect of different methods of girdling
bearing and defruited tung branches. Proc. Amer. Soc. Hort.
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Tukey, H.B. 1978. Tree structure, P hysiology and Dwarfing.
Dwarf Fruit Trees, pp. 95.
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257
一種新的果樹矮化過程:維持部份環割以矮化桃樹達到果實
品½之掌控
A.B.M. SHARIF HOSSAIN, Fusao MIZUTANI, Justus M. ONGUSO, and Ali
Ramadan EL-SHEREIF
The Experimental Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, Ehime University
Hattanji 498, Matsuyama, Ehime-799-2424, Japan
  本實驗之目的在於研究部份環割(樹皮部份)對桃子大小的影響。桃 (Prunus persica Batsch 品種
為 ‘Hikawahakuho’) 為供試材料。部份環割在樹皮上切開 4 公分長留 2 公厘(實驗 1)或 5 公厘寬之連
接帶(實驗 2)。在這些實驗裡,不同之處理含:不環割(對照組),以刀片中割一次(4 公分× 5 公
厘環),或以刀片連續中割(實驗 1);在實驗 2 則為環割一次(4 公分× 5 公厘環)或每二星期割一
次。經部份環割之桃樹其莖之生長較對照組為低。樹皮之生長和莖相同。經部份環割之桃樹其花芽,
不½是割一次或每兩星期割一次者,比對照組多。再者,樹幹之圓周長在上環比下環粗。經環割之桃
樹其可溶性固形物含量比對照組高。結果顯示 97~98% 之部份環割技術可用來減小桃樹之體積。
關鍵詞:部份環割;矮化之桃樹;果實品種。
pg_0008