‘Maciel’ peach tree development grafted on ‘Flordaguard’ clonal rootstock in different periods

Abstract

The objective of this study was to compare the vegetative and productive aspects and the quality of “Maciel” peach fruits grown on ‘Flordaguard’ clonal rootstock obtained from mini-cuttings, in different grafting periods (active bud and dormant bud). The experiment was conducted in an orchard located at Centro Agropecuario de Palma, in the county of Capao Leao, by Universidade Federal de Pelotas, RS (UFPel), from 2014/15 to 2015/16. The following variables related to the vegetative aspects were evaluated: canopy volume, trunk diameter, branch diameter, plant height, phenology (initial, full and final flowering) , productive aspects, estimated productivity (t.ha-1), production (kg. plant), production effectiveness, fruit diameter and physical-chemical characteristics such as firmness, color, pH, titratable total acidity, soluble solids, soluble solids/ titratable acidity relationship, antioxidant capacity, phenolic compounds and carotenoids. The most recommended grafting method for the ‘Maciel’ peach tree on ‘Flordaguard’ rootstock propagated by mini-cuttings is the active bud grafting.