Bioscience Evidence 2026, Vol.16, No.4, 221-234 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/be 228 and increased early yield, but it also caused excessive canopy growth and reduced sugar accumulation and fruit flavor. Because rainfall is limited in northwestern China, traditional irrigation often wastes water and reduces fruit quality stability. Toumi et al. (2022) studied deficit irrigation in peach orchards under arid conditions and found that moderate water stress improved several fruit quality traits compared with full irrigation, including soluble solids content, fruit firmness, and the concentration of some phenolic compounds. 5.3 Jiangsu peach production region 5.3.1 Flower and fruit thinning of 'Xiahui 5' Peach trees have a high fruit-setting capacity. Without proper flower and fruit thinning, nutrients are distributed among too many fruits, resulting in lower fruit weight, reduced sugar accumulation, heavier branch load, and unstable production in the following season. Zhang et al. (2024) carried out a field experiment using the major cultivar 'Xiahui 5' in Jiangsu under an open-center training system. Different flower and fruit thinning strategies were compared, including no flower thinning, conventional fruit thinning, and staged thinning during flowering and early fruit development. The study systematically evaluated their effects on yield, fruit quality, and leaf photosynthesis. Compared with conventional fruit thinning alone, removing young fruits twice, at 20 and 40 days after full bloom, regulated nutrient distribution more effectively. This treatment maintained high yield while significantly increasing individual fruit weight, improving fruit appearance, enhancing soluble solids content, and producing more uniform fruit maturity. Reducing excessive fruit numbers did not reduce total yield because less competition among fruits allowed more photosynthetic products to be transported to the remaining fruits, increasing carbon supply to each fruit. The treatment also improved leaf photosynthetic performance, water use efficiency, and apparent carbon dioxide use efficiency. 5.3.2 Living mulch in 'Zijin Huangcui' peach orchards Although clean cultivation reduces weed competition, long-term bare soil management often decreases soil organic matter, reduces microbial activity, and lowers nutrient use efficiency. Guo et al. (2024) investigated the effects of different ground management practices on soil conditions and fruit quality in 'Zijin Huangcui' peach orchards in Jiangsu (Figure 3). The treatments included bare soil, different mulching materials, and living mulch with hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth). Compared with conventional clean cultivation, living mulch significantly improved the orchard soil environment. Hairy vetch increased soil organic matter, enhanced soil nitrogen supply, and promoted microbial communities involved in nutrient cycling. At the same time, the mulch reduced soil temperature fluctuations and improved soil water retention, providing a more stable environment for continuous nutrient uptake by peach roots. Peaches grown under living mulch had higher soluble solids content and a higher sugar-to-acid ratio, while fruit acidity was reduced, resulting in better eating quality. These improvements were mainly associated with a healthier rhizosphere environment, gradual nutrient release, and a more stable nutrient supply for tree growth. 5.3.3 Canopy Microclimate Regulation Peach fruit quality is highly dependent on the light environment within the tree canopy. Zhen et al. (2025) used the peach cultivar 'Xiahui No.8' to investigate the relationship between canopy microclimate and fruit quality under different canopy structures. Light intensity, temperature, and humidity were monitored at different canopy positions, and their relationships with fruit weight, soluble solids content, dry matter content, and fruit firmness were analyzed. Clear microclimate differences existed within the canopy. Fruits located in the upper canopy received more solar radiation and showed better coloration and greater sugar accumulation. In contrast, fruits growing in shaded inner canopy positions had significantly lower soluble solids and dry matter contents because of limited light availability.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ4ODYzNA==