Skip to main content
ARS Home » Southeast Area » Byron, Georgia » Fruit and Tree Nut Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #65916
Title: EVALUATION OF GUARDIAN ROOTSTOCK AS A METHYL BROMIDE ALTERNATIVE FOR MANAGING PEACH TREE SHORT LIFE

Author
item Nyczepir, Andrew
item Beckman, Thomas
item BERTRAND, PAUL - UGA

Submitted to: Methyl Bromide Alternatives and Emissions Research Conference Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/6/1995
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Two economically important nematode pests often encountered in peach orchards in the southeastern U.S. include the ring (Criconemella xenoplax) and root-knot (Meloidogyne spp.) nematodes. Finding a superior rootstock to Lovell (standard rootstock) that survives in the presence of ring nematode on peach tree short life (PTSL) sites and also is root-knot nematode resistant would be of great value to the peach industry throughout the Southeast. Such a rootstock would provide an alternative to methyl bromide fumigation and be an important component to a peach integrated crop management program. A field experiment was initiated on grower's land to evaluate the performance of Guardian, Lovell, and Nemaguard rootstocks (budded with Redhaven peach) in preplant methyl bromide-fumigated and untreated soils in 1994. Tree survival on Guardian rootstock in untreated soil is comparable to Lovell, Nemaguard, or Guardian planted in preplant methyl bromide fumigated soils after one growing season. These data provide insight into the potential use of Guardian rootstock as an alternative to preplant fumigation with methyl bromide for control of ring nematode on PTSL sites. Potential benefits of this research are less environmental contamination and safer peach production methods.

Technical Abstract: In 1994, a field experiment was initiated on grower's land in Fort Valley, GA, to evaluate the performance of three rootstocks (budded with Redhaven peach) in preplant methyl bromide fumigated and untreated soil on a peach tree short life (PTSL) site. Rootstocks included Lovell (standard), Nemaguard, and the newly released Guardian rootstock. In May 1995, results indicate that tree survival on Guardian rootstock in untreated soil is comparable to Lovell, Nemaguard, or Guardian planted in methyl bromide fumigated soils. Additionally, a greater number of Guardian trees in untreated soil survived as compared to Lovell or Nemaguard in untreated soil on this severe PTSL site. The population density of ring nematode (C. xenoplax) is greater in the untreated soil vs. fumigated soil for all rootstock treatments. No significant differences in ring nematode counts are present among any of the rootstock treatments in untreated soil. Guardian rootstock is showing promise as an alternative to preplant fumigation with methyl bromide for control of C. xenoplax on PTSL sites after one growing season.