Peach breeding for growth habit

Peach clones of columnar, weeping, and standard tree growth and their progenies were studied to evaluate the possibility of manipulating tree form through breeding. Branch angle measured as the virtual angle formed by the stem and a line extending from the base of oneyear old branch to its tip was found to be a more reliable parameter in characterizing the tree form in peach than the actual crotch angle measured at the base of the branch since the shape of the crown is more closely related to the former angle. Intercrossing phenotypes with different branch angle can be used as a strategy to produce tree forms adapted to specific training systems, thus allowing for better orchard management. The weeping trait was found not completely recessive as formerly reported.