Response of Low and Medium Vigour Rootstocks for Peach to Biotic and Abiotic Stresses

Abstract

New low and medium vigour Prunus rootstocks compatible with peach cultivars were evaluated under controlled and in field conditions against biotic and abiotic stress factors. Most rootstocks exhibited different levels of resistance to the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne javanica. The plum hybrids ‘PAC 9801-02’ and ‘Krymsk®2’ were the only rootstocks that exhibited resistance to the lesion nematode, although ‘Krymsk®2’ is not compatible with peach. All rootstocks showed a high sensitivity to crown gall. The low vigour plums ‘Evrica’ and ‘Krymsk®1’, and the hybrid peach ‘PADAC 9907-23’ were sensitive to iron chlorosis. The rest showed different levels of tolerance. All plum-based materials were moderately tolerant to tolerant to root asphyxia, whereas peach-based rootstocks were sensitive with the exception of the peach almond hybrid ‘PAC 0009-01’. Most plums tend to emit an excessive number of root and crown suckers. From the agronomic standpoint, ‘PAC 0009-01’ and ‘PAC 9801-02’ present a better overall performance taking into account the combined traits.