Abstract
Since there are many different factors which affect peach orchard profitability, it is necessary to conduct long-term studies to find the best scion/rootstock combination within the constraints imposed by local climate and economic conditions. The influence of six peach-almond hybrids (“Adafuel”, “Adarcias”, Garnem”, “GF 677”, “PADAC 9902-01” and “Rootpac 70”); one P. persica × P. davidiana hybrid: “Cadaman”; five hexaploid plums (“Adesoto 101”, “PM 44 AD”, “PM 105 AD”, “PM 150 AD”, and “Penta”); three plum × peach-almond hybrids (“PADAC 04-01”, “PADAC 04-03” and “PADAC 99-05”), and one plum x almond hybrid (“Rootpac R”) on agronomic, basic fruit quality parameters, and flower and leaf mineral nutrients of the “Big Top” nectarine was tested. The highest vigor was induced by “Adafuel”, while the lowest vigor was exhibited by “PM 105 AD”, although the latter did not differ from the rest of the rootstocks. Yield efficiency was higher for “Adesoto 101” and lower for “Adafuel”. Regarding the soluble solids content (SSC), “PADAC 04-01” rootstock induced the highest average content, although it did not differ from “Adarcias”, “Adesoto 101”, “PADAC 99-05”, “PM 105 AD”, and “Rootpac R”. In addition, significant effect of rootstock was found on the flower and leaf mineral analysis traits evaluated. The medium (“Adarcias”, “Adesoto 101”, “PM 105 AD”) to high vigorous plum based hybrid rootstocks (“PADAC 04-01”, “PADAC 99-05” and “Rootpac R”) showed the tendency to induce a better fruit quality, based on higher concentration of SSC, and other yield attributes, demonstrating their commercial interest as new rootstocks for peaches. Considering its overall performance, “PADAC 04-01” appears as a new promising rootstock alternative to peach-almond hybrids on heavy and calcareous textured soils.
Highlights
In fruit production worldwide, cultivar is a key factor determining productivity, fruit quality and economic value [1]
Year 2017 had less rainfall accumulated compared to the rest of the four years
Years 2014 and 2015 stood out for having high Tavr and Tmax, whereas 2013 for being the year with more rain accumulated during the fruit growing period
Summary
Cultivar is a key factor determining productivity, fruit quality and economic value [1]. The continuously release of new peach (Prunus persica) cultivars by breeders from around the world, together with the consistent improvement on orchard management strategies by growers and the commercial interest of peach production for fruit fresh consumption, allowed Spain to be the first world peach exporter and currently the largest producer in the European Union [2,3]. This commodity is mainly produced in the Ebro Valley (Mediterranean basin), where most of the Agronomy 2020, 10, 1159; doi:10.3390/agronomy10081159 www.mdpi.com/journal/agronomy.
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