Establishment and productivity of nectarine top-grafted over mature peach under furrow, drip, and micro-spray irrigation

Authors: Drew, Philip; Wang, Dong

Submitted to: Irrigation Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/11/2026
Publication Date: 7/28/2026
Citation: Drew, P.L., Wang, D. 2026. Establishment and productivity of nectarine top-grafted over mature peach under furrow, drip, and micro-spray irrigation. Irrigation Science. 44. Article 112. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00271-026-01152-y.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00271-026-01152-y

Interpretive Summary: Grafting fruit tree in orchards is commonly practiced by farmers but it is unknown how irrigation methods would affect the establishment of the newly grafted trees. Field research was carried out by grafting nectarine scions to mature peach trees under furrow, drip, and micro-spray irrigation methods. Furrow irrigation benefited initial growth of grafted nectarine scions and produced larger fruits, but no yield difference was observed in grafted nectarines regardless of irrigation type.

Technical Abstract: Nectarines and peaches are valuable crops that require significant investment when planting a new orchard. Orchard rejuvenation through grafting on established mature trees, known as top-working, provides a more economical and quicker establishment of a new orchard than whole orchard renewal. Limited research is available on stone fruit tree grafting on nursery seedlings and literature on top-worked fruit trees is totally lacking. In this study, research was carried out in a mature peach orchard by top-working the peach trees with nectarine scions under three different irrigation methods: furrow, drip, and micro-spray. Tree growth and fruit production were evaluated from initial grafting to maturity over six growing seasons. The furrow irrigated nectarine scions grew about 5% larger than drip or micro-spray irrigated trees. Nectarine fruit size was 3% larger from furrow or micro-spray irrigated trees than from drip irrigated trees, but no significant difference was found in total fruit yield between the different irrigation regimes. The research has demonstrated that furrow irrigation can benefit scion establishment in top-worked peaches. Drip or micro-spray irrigation can be used after the trees mature for improved irrigation efficiency.