Comparative growth of two peach seedling rootstocks under alkaline soil conditions

Abstract

An almond X peach seed line, ‘Titan’ X Nemaguard (T X NG), which is tolerant to lime‐induced chlorosis, was compared to a susceptible seedling rootstock, Nemared, under alkaline conditions. The tolerant rootstock's growth was not affected by Fe stress, whereas the susceptible rootstock showed chlorosis which corresponded to approximately a 20% chlorophyll loss in the new foliage during the 18‐week stress period, a 62% decrease in shoot dry weight and a 22% decrease in plant height.

Key words:

• rootstock
• Prunus persica
• Prunus dulcis
• iron chlorosis
• lime‐induced chlorosis