Peaches in Spain: varieties and care using sensors

Optimizing Peaches in Spain and Nectarine Production with Humidity and Temperature Sensors and Probes

Irrigation Optimization and Precision Agriculture in Stone Fruit Orchards

Peaches in Spain and their well-known variety, the nectarine, are fruits of Asian origin (China) that are now deeply rooted in Spanish cultivation. The peach tree is a moderately sized tree belonging to the Rosaceae family. Given the increase in commercial orchards that require our sensors to monitor humidity, this technical article analyzes their key agronomic aspects.

The Evolution of Stone Fruit Farming with Plantae

Plantae’s wireless systems provide the stone fruit sector, and especially peach and nectarine orchards, with a precision agriculture infrastructure using sensors and subsurface probes. Measuring key parameters in real time allows farms to substantially improve both fruit quality and harvest volume.

Peaches in Spain-Irrigation in stone fruit: 1. Peach tree. 2. Bucket receiver. 3. Humidity, temperature, and conductivity sensors/probes. 4. Transpiration. 5. Surface drip irrigation. 6. Wet bulb. 7. Sales accumulation. 8. Evaporation. 9. Loamy soil.

Plantae sensors provide precision agriculture for stone fruit, especially peaches and nectarines, with sensors/probes for soil and subsoil moisture, conductivity, and temperature. We can measure in real time all the parameters that improve the quality and quantity of these types of orchards.

The monitoring tools integrated into the Plantae ecosystem are

• Subsoil moisture sensor: monitors the soil moisture level and therefore the factors that promote water and nutrient absorption. This is crucial for all production phases, especially fruit growth.
• Conductivity sensor: measures salinity, which influences fruit quality. In stone fruit, salinity levels above 1.7 dS/m (electrical conductivity) become sensitive and can reduce yield expectations.
• Subsoil temperature sensor: compares data with ambient temperature and other parameters to create growth models. It identifies the optimal time to begin applying nutrients and water.
• Ambient temperature sensor: provides early warnings of heat waves, helps monitor new shoots, flowering, and other factors. Flow meter: controls irrigation at the beginning or end of irrigation zones. It records the start and end times of each irrigation, total duration, and liters applied, while also detecting leaks or blockages. Weather Station: consisting of: Rain gauge, relative humidity and ambient temperature meter and anemometer.

All this so that consuming peaches in Spain, in all their varieties, is a luxury and a quality fruit is available to the consumer fresh, candied, in juices and jams, all year round!

Peaches in Spain

The ideal area for growing peaches in Spain is primarily Murcia and Lleida, but also throughout the Mediterranean region, as shown on the map. Badajoz and Aragon stand out. Peaches are also grown in warmer areas, such as the sun-facing valleys of Castile and León, Galicia, Santander, the Basque Country, La Rioja, Pamplona, ​​Cáceres, and some provinces of Castile-La Mancha. In these latter areas, they are primarily consumed by families.

Peaches in Spain and Nectarine Varieties

The main peach varieties grown in Spain include Paraguayo, Pavía, and Baby Gold. These varieties differ in size, flavor, and ripening characteristics.

The primary classification is by color and flesh. The nectarine is considered a mutation of the fuzzy peach, although it is grafted to create a new variety. Occasionally, peach trees produce nectarines.

It’s very difficult to compile a list of varieties, because there are about a thousand, in addition to the grafted varieties. We’re going to focus on the best-known and most widely sold in Spain.

1. Merryl: Mid-summer. Velvety and deep red with yellow flesh.
2. Baby-Gold: Reddish-yellow. Reddish flesh.
3. Royal Glory: Reddish with yellow flesh.
4. Queen Crest: The earliest. Orange with yellow flesh.
5. Tirrenia: Appears very early. Yellow with yellow flesh.
6. Calanda: Typical of the Calanda area. Late-ripening and yellow with yellow flesh. It has a protected designation of origin.
7. Catherine: Also known as the Murcia yellow, with yellow flesh. Ripens early.

The nectarine: Fuzzy and a variety of peach.

Other minor varieties of agronomic interest are: Alba, Alboplena, Alexandra, Atropurpurea, Elegant Lady, Maycrest, María Blanca, Péndula, Purpúrea, Royal, Rosea, Rubra, Rubroplena and Springcrest.

Peaches in Spain Tree Agronomic Care

Peach trees adapt well to both cold and Mediterranean climates. For this reason, peaches are found throughout Spain, but there are regions where production is higher and more commercially available. In these areas, the care of the orchards is much more intensive, focusing on increasing yield and improving quality.

Precision Irrigation Management with Sensors

Ideally, drip irrigation should be controlled by wireless sensors that measure humidity, temperature, and conductivity. These sensors provide real-time information on the tree’s water needs around its root system. This allows the fruit to grow without water stress, resulting in a more uniform texture and a more pleasant flavor. If the tree lacks water, the fruit will have a blander taste. Water requirements vary depending on the plant’s growth stage. During flowering and fruit development, more frequent and abundant irrigation is needed. Subsequently, irrigation should be gradually reduced before harvest to improve fruit quality.

Controlling humidity also prevents the main problem for peach trees: fungal growth, which appears more frequently if the tree is waterlogged. It doesn’t affect the fruit, but the fruit grows less because the leaves are so tightly curled that they don’t get enough oxygen and eventually fall off. We also control excess salts, as we’ve discussed in other articles.

Soil

In addition to seeking a sandy-clay loam soil, it is essential to control irrigation during dry periods that coincide with fruit growth.

Ideal Nutrients for Peach Trees

One of the best ways to fertilize peach trees is to leave mulch and shredded pruning debris. This provides nutrients and helps retain moisture. Peach trees also need minerals such as:

• Nitrogen: which promotes tree development. A deficiency results in small trees, deformed leaves, and smaller fruit.
• Phosphorus: metabolizes sugars, promotes flowering, and fruit set.
• Potassium: influences sugar transport and benefits fruit formation.
• Calcium: promotes root development and improves the absorption of other nutrients.

Culinary Uses and Fruit Preservation

It is easy to find peaches at the market if you buy in bulk. However, we cannot consume them all in two days. That has an easy solution.

Homemade Peaches in Syrup

1. Peel the peaches carefully and chop the flesh evenly.
2. Sprinkle them with granulated or brown sugar and add the juice of one squeezed lemon.
3. Let the mixture rest for half an hour to allow the juices to release naturally.
4. Add a glass of water, place the container on the stove, and maintain a controlled boil for two minutes.
5. Let it cool completely before storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
6. Then enjoy! It can be preserved by cooking it in a water bath for 15 minutes. This way, you’ll have peaches all year round.

Peach Jam in the Thermomix

Ingredients: Two kilos of peaches, the juice of one lemon, and 1/2 kilo of brown sugar.

Once peeled, chop the peaches and, along with the juice and sugar, place them in the Thermomix at speed 7 for one minute.

Then cook at Varona temperature for 30 minutes at speed 2. Let it cool and store it in glass jars in the refrigerator. For longer storage, process the jars in a water bath for 15 minutes to create an airtight seal.
Peach Juice with the Thermomix

Ingredients: Two peeled peaches, one glass of water, one tablespoon of brown sugar, and the juice of half a lemon.

Blend for one minute, gradually increasing the speed from 0 to 10.