Preliminary Evaluation of Productivity and Fruit Quality for Seven Peach Rootstocks in Chile

Fruit productivity and quality of eight years peach and nectarine cultivars (Rich Lady, Ryan Sun, Ruby Diamond and Venus) grafted onto Cadaman-Avimag, Viking, Atlas, GxN 15, GF 677, MRS 2/5 and Nemaguard (control) rootstocks were evaluated. A Split Plot experimental design was used, with each rootstock/scion combination as an experimental unit. Total yield, fruit size distribution, number of fruit, and fruit weight were recorded. Fruit quality parameters including soluble solids concentration (SSC), blush color development, and flesh firmness were also measured. On average, Cadaman yielded the greatest fruit weight and number of fruit, compared with the control, followed by GxN 15, Atlas and GF 677 to a lesser degree, while Viking was similar to the Nemaguard control, and MRS 2/5 yielded less than the control. There were no great differences between the rootstocks and the control with respect to fruit size and weight, although the most vigorous, Cadaman and GxN 15, were significantly higher (190.1 and 197.2 g, versus 179.5, respectively). For fruit quality parameters, Viking had the highest accumulation of SSC with respect to Nemaguard and MRS 2/5 had the highest percentage of blush color compared with the control. For flesh firmness at harvest, GF 677 was the firmest and MRS 2/5 was the softest.