ISHS Acta Horticulturae 658: I International Symposium on Rootstocks for Deciduous Fruit Tree Species
FIELD-TESTING PEACH ROOTSTOCK SELECTIONS FOR TOLERANCE TO PEACH TREE SHORT LIFE AND REPLANT SITES IN SOUTH CAROLINA |
| Authors: | G.L. Reighard, D.R. Ouellette, T.G. Beckman, K.H. Brock, D.R. Newall Jr. |
| Keywords: | Prunus persica, bacterial canker, cold injury |
| Abstract:
Peach tree short life (PTSL), a bacterial canker/cold injury disease syndrome of peach, remains a replant problem in warm temperate regions of the United States. A bulked seed line trademarked Guardian Brand ‘BY520-9’ has performed well (i.e., survival) when compared to Lovell rootstock, the industry standard, in field trials in South Carolina. However, undesirable nursery characteristics and some segregation of phenotypic traits in the bulked F1 seedling population has made it necessary to re-evaluate mother parents for future seed production. Only a few of the F1 seedling populations were tested in earlier plantings. The objective was to evaluate untested with previously tested Guardian Brand ‘BY520-9’ selections and Lovell rootstock (e.g., standard) at grower locations in South Carolina to determine their short life tolerance and orchard productivity on replant orchard sites. F1 seedling lines from 36 selected Guardian parents budded with ‘RubyPrince’ and ‘AutumnPrince’ were planted in the winter of 1999-2000 on replant sites at 5 grower farms in South Carolina. After two growing seasons, there were some significant differences in tree survival and growth. F1 seedlings from Guardian selections were as or more vigorous than Lovell at 4 of the 5 sites. There were significant differences in tree growth among sites as well as significant genotype x site interactions. One selection (2-11-1) was within the top 8 rootstocks for trunk cross-sectional growth at all sites. Among rootstocks planted at all sites, trees on Lovell were generally smaller. Most tree death after 2 years was due to drought, machinery, animals or theft. Lovell had one of the lowest survival rates (89%) across all sites. PTSL was not observed, but generally appears at 3 to 5 years of age. Trees on Guardian Brand ‘BY520-9’ rootstocks grew and survived as well or better than Lovell rootstock after 2 years in the field. Extensive field-testing will ultimately lead to selection of parental genotypes that produce superior F1 peach rootstock seedlings for use on South Carolina replant sites. | |
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