EVALUATION OF AGRONOMICAL PERFORMANCE OF SEVERAL PEACH ROOTSTOCKS IN LLEIDA AND GIRONA (CATALONIA, NE-SPAIN)

Abstract

Agronomical behaviour of 23 peach rootstocks grafted with the cultivar 'Elegant Lady®' (Merdame) has been evaluated over a six-year period (1996-2001) at IRTA’s Experimental Station of Lleida and Experimental Station of Mas Badia (Girona). Bloom time has not been significantly affected by the rootstock while differences in harvest date based on fruit firmness and IR have been observed. In general, the lowest values of IR have been obtained on plum rootstock species. Significant differences have been observed on vigour with Felinem (GxN22), Garnem (GxN15), GF-305, Titan and GF-677 being the most vigorous and Jaspi® (Fereley) and GF655/2, Montizo and Nemaguard the weakest ones. Highest cumulative yields per tree were recorded on Barrier, GF-677 and Montclar® (Chanturgue) and the lowest on GF-655/2 and Nemaguard. When cumulative yields were adjusted by rootstock vigour and converted to tons/ha, highest yield was obtained on GF655/2, Adesoto 101, Jaspi® (Fereley) and Isthara® (Ferciana), all weak rootstocks. Tree vigour and cumulative yields on all the rootstocks have always been higher in Lleida than in Girona. GF 655/2, Isthara® (Ferciana) and Jaspi® (Fereley) have shown the highest efficiency (kg/cm2). Largest fruit size has been obtained on Rubira, Barrier and Adesoto 101 in Lleida, and on the plum types or some interspecific rootstocks in Girona. Presence of suckering has been observed only on plum rootstocks species, especially GF 655/2, Adesoto 101, Julior® (Ferdor) and Monpol, with small differences between them. Nemared, Nemaguard and Myran® (Yumir) showed maximum sensitivity to iron chlorosis, and intermediate values were recorded on GF 305, Montclar, PSB2, PSA6, PSA5, Rubira, Jaspi® (Fereley), GF 655/2 and Barrier. The lowest was obtained on Garnem (GxN 15), Felinem, Isthara®, MRS 2/5 and Adesoto 101. GF 677 was the only rootstock without iron chlorosis.