DORMANT CARBOHYDRATE AND NUTRIENT RESERVES OF `REDHAVEN' PEACH ON THREE ROOTSTOCKS UNDER TWO ORCHARD FLOOR MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS.

Abstract

Trees of `Redhaven' peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] budded to Lovell, Bailey and Nemaguard rootstocks were grown with either bahiagrass or cultivated row-middles. Terminal shoots and roots were collected on four dates during 1991-92 (Nov. 15, Jan. 16, Feb. 26 and Apr. 1). On the April 1 collection date, trees grown with cultivated row-middles had higher levels of total soluble sugars and total carbohydrates in shoot tissue than trees grown with sod. There were no differences on any of the other dates. Orchard floor management did not affect the levels of Ca, Mg, K, P or Fe in shoots or roots. Trees on Nemaguard rootstock had significantly less starch and total carbohydrates in shoot tissue than those on Lovell on the last two collection dates. Shoot tissue of trees on Nemaguard and Bailey rootstocks had lower levels of K than those on Lovell. Sorbitol and total soluble sugar levels were higher in the root tissue of Lovell than Bailey and Nemaguard. Nemaguard had significantly higher levels of starch in root tissue than Lovell and Bailey. Nemaguard and Bailey had lower levels of Mg in roof tissue than Lovell.