Growth and development of 'Chimarrita' and 'Maciel' peach trees on different rootstocks and cultivating areas

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of rootstocks in relation to vegetative growth and development of 'Chimarrita' and 'Maciel' peach trees in three places of cultivation. The experiment was conducted in three cultivating areas: first (Embrapa Grape and Wine), second (EEA UFRGS) and third (CAP UFPel), in three years. Peach trees cultivars used were: 'Chimarrita' and 'Maciel,' grafted on six rootstocks ('Aldrighi' 'Capdeboscq,' 'Flordaguard,' 'Nemaguard,' 'Okinawa' and Mume), with a spacing of 1.5 m by 5.0 m and conducted to a "V" system. It was evaluated: canopy volume, trunk diameter, pruning fresh weight, cumulative yield, length, thickness, flower bud and flower density of productive branch. It was also visually assessed the grafting point. The Mume rootstocks induced less vigor in the three cultivation areas studied, and in the average of three years. And it can be indicated for use on 'Maciel' at edaphoclimatic conditions of the third area. In the first area, the 'Nemaguard' rootstock has high vigor and greater cumulative production, being the best. As for the second area, the 'Capdeboscq,' 'Okinawa' and 'Flordaguard' rootstocks are the most suitable. It can be concluded that rootstocks affect the growth and development characteristics of 'Chimarrita' and 'Maciel' cultivars, the vigor of these is lower on the Mume rootstock in the three cultivating areas. All rootstocks can be indicated for the three areas of cultivation, with the exception of Mume, which can only be indicated in combination with 'Maciel' cultivar in the third area.