Dynamics of water and carbohydrate content in branches of peach tree during the winter in South Region of Brazil

The objective of this work was to determine the water and carbohydrate content in peach tree branches during the winter in South region, Brazil. Fortnightly collections of branches of peach trees ‘Jubileu’ and ‘Eldorado’ were done every 15 days between the months June and August of 2010. These branches were divided into three portions: basal, median, and apical, for determination of the water content, these were divided into two tissues: bark and wood. For carbohydrate content, in the portions of the branches, the contents of total soluble sugars, sucrose and starch were analyzed by the anthrone method. The water content in the bark tissue showed no alterations in the two cultivars over the period investigated. It was found that the dynamics of the water (tissue wood) and carbohydrate presented a great increase mainly in the apical portion of the branch close to sprouting. It follows that the water content and carbohydrate dynamics may be considered physiological markers for resumption of growth for temperate climate fruit trees.