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Prunus Species Prunus is the botanical name for a large group of deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs. These popular plants are greatly valued for their delicious, edible fruits, gorgeous spring blossoms and some, for their colorful foliage; some varieties are grown for decoration alone, since all do not produce edible fruits. Numerous varieties have been developed from the wild forms; some were bred for maximum fruit production and better quality fruit while others were bred for larger and more abundant blossoms; some varieties can survive in different climates than others can. They are among the most beautiful trees and shrubs. Most of the species need to be grown in temperate regions though some, such as the evergreen kinds, need to be grown in mild climates. Apricot, Peach and Plum trees are among them. Apricot (P. armeniaca) is a member of the family Rosaceae. It is a stone fruit native to Asia. Apricots are suitable for growing in cities because they tolerate pollution more than other woody plants. Though Apricots originated in Asia, they were brought to the Mediterranean where European plant breeders produced the species with large fruit that we enjoy today. Asian Apricots resemble the European kinds, but are smaller, only reaching a height from 6 to 15 feet while European Apricots are small, round-headed trees, ultimately reaching a height of up to 30 feet, and they are shrubby instead of tree-like. The fruit of the Asian Apricots grow 1 or 2 inches and the taste varies from sweet to sour. Apricots are very early bloomers, which makes them susceptible to injury from late spring frosts. A warm spell during the spring or even the winter urges the flower or leaf buds to begin swelling and the subsequent cold kills them. European Apricots can only be grown in mild climates. Asian Apricots are hardier and can survive harsh winters, though will still be damaged if the weather warms enough to induce blooming and then freezes up again. Apricots can be grown safely in mild climates and in very cold climates, where winter stays until late in the season and then lets up. Some Apricots are cultivated especially for their gorgeous blossoms such as P. mume (Japanese Apricot) and P. dasycarpa (Purple Apricot). P. mume is a small tree that bears almond-scented, pink flowers in early spring; its variety Beni-shidare produces sweet scented, double, dark rose-pink blossoms. These two can survive in climates where temperatures fall to -30º F. P. dasycarpa is a small tree that grows up to 25 feet high. It has white flowers and dark purple or black fruit. This variety is grown more for ornament than for its insignificant fruit. Important commercial varieties in Pakistan are Red Flesh Early, Old Cap, Chamaghzi, Moorpark, Nuri and Shakarpara. Peach (Prunus persica) is a member of family Rosaceae. It was originated in its wild form in China and apparently was cultivated there about 2000 B.C before it was taken westward to Persia and later to Greece about 350 B.C. The Romans were cultivating the peach since time of Christ and spread it throughout their empire in Europe; from there it was disseminated over the world into all countries of the temperate zones. The chilling requirement below 7ºC temperature for peach is around 650-1100 hrs. Peach is a quite hardy fruit, preferring cold winter and sunny dry spring. It is successfully grown in plain and hilly areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K.P.K).Variety 6-A was the only commercial variety of the province till 1978-79, with Robin and Babcock cultivated on the limited scale. At present NJC-84, Carmon and Red French Early are promising varieties in the early maturing group, while NJ-238, Suwanee, Ranger and Spring Dust have shown good results among the mid- season and NJ241 is considered best among late season varieties. Flordasun an early and low chilling variety is recommended for commercial plantation in the plains of K.P.K. Peach is adoptable to a wide range of soils but it is essential that it must be well drained, fertile and slightly acidic with a pH range of 6.7-7.0. During nursery production, the common procedure is to grow rootstocks from seeds and then to bud named varieties upon them. The different stone fruits unite quite readily while subjecting to inter budding or inter grafting, but the resulting unions vary widely in degree of compatibility. Local peach was recommended as a root stock for scion varieties of peach because of its resistance against nematodes. Plum (Prunus domestica) is member of Rosaceae family. It is a deciduous stone fruit, characterized by having a distinct three layered pericarp (exocarp, mesocarp and a stony endocarp) which encloses the seed. It is grown in the temperate regions or where the climatic conditions and soil conditions are fit for its growth. Chilling requirements of domestic plum is 800-900 hours below 5 oC. Therefore it is popular in milder regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa such as Muree Hills in Rawalpindi District (Punjab) and in Quetta and Qalat Division (Balochistan). In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa it is commercially grown in the plains of Peshawar, Mardan, Kohat and hilly tract of swat. In Kyber Pakhtunkhwa plum (Fazli manani) a scion cultivar, is commercially adoped, while other cultivars like Methyl, beauty, TPS-I, TPS-II, are successfully grown in plains of Peshawar, Mardan, Charsadda, Kohat and Hilly tracts of Swat. Peaches, plums and apricots are all members of the Prunus genus and are therefore closely related. They commonly are referred to as "stone fruits". they usually grown in field nurseries. However, success in growing fruit trees and in producing quality fruit doesn’t just happen, careful attention must be given to basic management practices including site selection, variety selection, weed control and water and pest management. The primary consideration in selecting a site for field nursery production is the soil. Good soil drainage is essential for growing healthy, productive trees. Soils with standing water or those that remain saturated for even a day or two following a heavy rain are unsuitable for stone fruit trees. If this describes your soil, you can still grow fruit by planting trees in well-drained, raised beds. Prepare beds by bringing in or scraping up topsoil into a 6- to 12-inch-high mound at least 8 to 10 feet across. High organic potting soil mixes are less desirable because they encourage continual fall growth and make young trees more vulnerable to winter freeze injury. A raised bed can be framed with railroad ties or edging timbers for a more attractive appearance. A soil fertility test before planting helps avoid undesirable sites, and minerals such as phosphorus and potassium can be added before planting if needed. Most soils in Arkansas are acidic and must be altered to suit the intended crop. Additional information on soil testing is available from your local county Extension office. Plentiful sunlight is a key to maximizing fruit production. Choose an area that is sunny most or all of the day. Early morning sunshine is particularly important to dry dew from the plants, thereby reducing the incidence of diseases. If the planting site does not receive sufficient sunlight, expect reduced performance from the trees. Eliminating weed competition around young trees is critical for survival and rapid growth. Heavy weed or grass competition results in severe nitrogen deficiency (yellow foliage with red spots) trees will produce little or no growth and often may die. Ideally, the soil surface should be kept weed-free in an area at least as wide as the limb spread of the tree. The safest way to do this is with a hoe. Chemicals are available that will do a good job, but they are hazardous if used carelessly. But chemical weed control is not attempted unless all aspects of safety and sprayer calibration are well understood. Other methods of weed control can include a combination of hand weeding, mowing, mechanical cultivation, mulching, ground cloth, and chemical methods. Insect and disease management requires integrated pest management (IPM) strategies, such as planting resistant cultivars, scouting, and practicing best management practices. While growing rootstocks in nusery from seeds the dormancy of seed must be broken. Stone fruit seed are normally dormant when taken from the fruit and will not grow until their cold requirements are satisfied that is, the seed must be given conditions that simulate those it would receive naturally in a temperate climate about 1500 to 2000 hours (nine to twelve weeks) of moist chilling. Pits are dry when received and can be stored without loss of viability in a cool, dry place for a long time. To break the dormancy, the seed inside the pits must be fully rehydrated. Removal of the hard outer shell of the pit (hull) of the seed by cracking is advisable to obtain a high germination rate; seed can be sown with hull intact, but germination is often low soak extracted seed at room temperature for 12-24 hours drain and treat seed with fungicide store in moist, not wet, sand at 2-4°C for nine to twelve weeks; use plastic bags or covered container to reduce moisture loss. In Peshawar T-Budding is used for these prunus fruit plants using rootstock of the same genus prunus. Budding usually starts from June and continues until September. (Abdul Jalal : Horticulturist)