Análisis del crecimiento del fruto y hoja de Prunus persica (L.) Batsch cv Gran Jarillo por medio variables morfofisiológicas en el municipio de Pamplonita, Norte de Santander, Colombia.

Abstract

The peach tree (Prunus persica L. Batsch) is one of the most economically significant fruit crops worldwide, valued for its agro-industrial versatility and nutritional importance. In Colombia, its cultivation has gained relevance in mid-altitude regions such as Pamplonita (Norte de Santander), where the Gran Jarillo variety exhibits favorable productive behavior. However, limited knowledge about its growth performance under local conditions restricts the implementation of management strategies based on physiological and morphometric parameters, which are essential for improving fruit yield and quality. This study aimed to determine the leaf and fruit growth models of P. persica cv. Gran Jarillo through the adjustment of nonlinear power models. Morphometric measurements were conducted weekly for seven months on 15 selected trees, recording leaf variables (length, width, and area) and fruit variables (polar and equatorial diameters, and roundness index). Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS v.26 and Pass 4 software, applying normality tests, nonparametric correlations, and nonlinear regressions. The power model for leaf growth showed an adjusted determination coefficient (R² = 0.847), indicating a strong relationship between leaf width and estimated area. For fruits, the relationship between equatorial diameter and roundness index achieved an R² of 0.905, representing an exceptional and biologically consistent fit. Positive correlations (ρ = 0.851) were observed between leaf and fruit growth, suggesting a physiological synchrony between both organs. The results confirm the usefulness of nonlinear models to describe and predict growth dynamics, supporting agronomic decision-making and emphasizing the productive potential of the Gran Jarillo variety under high Andean tropical conditions.