Agronomic performance of ‘BRS Kampai’ peach on 15 clonal rootstocks and own-rooted trees in Pelotas-RS, Brazil

Abstract

The clonal rootstocks allows preservation of mother tree genetic characteristics, such as vigor and produce a fasciculated root system, with an abundant thin roots. The objective of this research was to determine the effect of fifteen clonal genotypes as rootstocks on the agronomic performance of ‘BRS Kampai’ peach, as well as the technical feasibility of own-rooted trees (without rootstock) in a no-irrigated field condictions, in Pelotas-RS, Brazil. Bagged nursery trees were planted at the field in August, 2014, under a randomized block design with four replications of one tree per plot, and evaluations of trunk diameter, trunk cross-sectional area (TCSA), yield efficiency, annual and accumulated fruit yield per tree and per hectare were carried out until 2019. In the adopted experimental conditions, we conclude that ‘Barrier’ (P. persica x P. davidiana), ‘Cadaman’ (P. persica x P. davidiana), G x N.9 (P. persica x P. dulcis), ‘Ishtara’ [(P. cerasifera x P. salicina) x (P. cerasifera x P. persica)] and ‘Santa Rosa’ (P. salicina) do not have potential as a rootstock of ‘BRS Kampai’ peach due irregular bud breaking of scion, small fruits and/or low fruit yield. Clone 15 (P. mume) stands out for increasing fruit weight and maintaining satisfactory fruit yield per tree. ‘Flordaguard’ (P. persica) is the best rootstock tested, which is vigorous, do not present any undesirable agronomic characteristics and induce the highest yields per tree and per hectare, exceeding 50 t ha-1 in accumulated yield. Own-rooted trees of ‘BRS-Kampai’ peach have technical feasibility, as long as pruning is properly carried out.