Yield and fruit quality of peach scion by using rootstocks propagated by air layering and seed

Abstract

In rootstock propagation, several methods can be used; however few practices are adopted due to the lack of information about the behavior of stionic combinations at field. The work aimed to compare the propagation method by air layering with the traditional propagation system by seeds using the scion peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] cultivar Granada. The following variables were measured: yield, fruit weight and size, skin color, flesh firmness, total soluble solids content (TSS) and titatrable acidity (TA), TSS/TA ratio, total phenols, trunk diameter and pruning mass. Yield, total phenols and titatrable acidity were higher when using the air layering propagation. There was no difference between propagation methods regarding color and diameter of fruit, flesh firmness and total soluble solid and TSS/TA ratio. Depending on propagation method, the fruit weight did not differ, nevertheless using the seed propagated Capdeboscq rootstock fruit weight was heavier. Plant behavior in each propagation method depended on the rootstock used. Scion cultivar (cv.) Granada on air layering rootstock-derived keeps similar or superior yield and same attributes of fruit quality, better than using rootstocks derived from seeds.