Performance of the 2002 NC-140 Cooperative Peach Rootstock Planting

Abstract

In 2002, a peach [ Prunus persica(L.) Batsch] trial consisting of eight rootstocks was planted at 17 sites in the United States, Canada and Mexico. �Redhaven� was the scion at ten sites and �Cresthaven� at the other seven sites. The rootstocks tested were Adesoto 101, Mr.S.2/5, Penta, Krymsk�2 (VSV-1), Krymsk�1 (VVA-1), Pumiselect�, Cadaman� and Lovell. After five years, trees on Cadaman� were similar in size and productivity to Lovell. Pumiselect � and Krymsk�2 exhibited many problems with survival, suckering and fruit weight. Adesoto 101, Mr.S.2/5 and Penta all showed potential as semi-dwarfing rootstocks although mortality and suckering were excessive at some sites. Krymsk�1 showed potential as a dwarfing rootstock with a trunk cross-sectional area 35% of Lovell. Trees on Krymsk�1 rootstock also had fruit weight equal to the more vigorous rootstocks and had the highest yield efficiency.