Performance of peach and plum based rootstocks of different vigour on a late peach cultivar in replant and calcareous conditions

The field performance of fifteen peach and plum based rootstocks of different vigour (Adesoto, Evrica, Garnem, GF 677, HM-2, Krymsk® 1, PAC 9801-02, PAC 960, PAC 9907-02, PAC 9917-26, PAC-MUT, PADAC 9907-23, ROOTPAC® 40, ROOTPAC® 70 and Tetra) grafted with ‘Calrico’ cultivar was compared after 7 years of establishment on an Armillaria infested replant site. ‘Calrico’ is a selected clone of “Calanda” late peach cultivar. Differences in parameters such as tree survival, leaf chlorophyll content, vigour, yield, cumulative yield, yield efficiency and fruit size were analyzed among rootstocks. All PAC 9801-02 and Tetra trees survived and the mortality rate was low in Evrica, PADAC 9907-23 and ROOTPAC® 40. The rest of genotypes showed higher mortality rates. Leaf chlorophyll concentration was higher when grafted on Adesoto and Evrica and lower when grafted on PAC 9907-02 and PAC 9917-26. Garnem and PADAC 9907-23 were the most vigorous rootstocks. The highest yield efficiency was induced by Krymsk® 1 and PAC 9801-02 due to their lower vigour. The highest fruit weight was also induced by Krymsk® 1 but its cumulative yield was low. Other rootstocks that showed high fruit weight and cumulative yields were ROOTPAC® 70 and Tetra. Overall, Evrica, PAC 9801-02, ROOTPAC® 40 and Tetra were among the best adapted to soil sickness and calcareous soil showing a good agronomic performance. The first three rootstocks (Evrica, PAC 9801-02, ROOTPAC® 40) also exhibited a high capacity to control tree vigour associated with high yield efficiency.

► Plum and plum hybrids were better adapted to replant disease.
► Tetra is an invigorating rootstock that induces high yields.
► Evrica, PAC 9801-02 and ROOTPAC® 40 induced low vigour and high yield efficiency.
► New rootstock selections performed better than GF 677 in replanted soil.