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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Byron, Georgia » Fruit and Tree Nut Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #357836
Research Project: Development of New Stone Fruit Cultivars and Rootstocks for the Southeastern United States

Location: Fruit and Tree Nut Research

Title: Rootstocks for Florida stone fruit

Author
item SARKHOSH, ALI - University Of Florida
item OLMSTEAD, MERCY - University Of Florida
item CHAPARRO, JOSE - University Of Florida
item Beckman, Thomas

Submitted to: Experiment Station Bulletins
Publication Type: Experiment Station
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/24/2018
Publication Date: 11/15/2018
Citation: Sarkhosh, A., Olmstead, M., Chaparro, J., Beckman, T.G. 2018. Rootstocks for Florida stone fruit. HS1110 BUL., University of Florida Experiment Station Bulletin. 6 p.

Interpretive Summary: Rootstock selection is an important component of any commercial tree fruit operation. Although Florida peach growers have a number of issues in common with growers in the main production areas in Georgia and South Carolina, they have several unique issues that influence rootstock selection. The most important is the presence of the peach root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne floridensis. ‘Flordaguard’ rootstock was developed specifically to deal with M. floridensis. The purpose of this bulletin is to provide guidance to growers on the rootstock issues of importance in Florida, especially regarding root-knot nematodes, and how the rootstocks currently available for peach compare on these points.

Technical Abstract: Rootstock selection is an important part of disease and orchard management in tree fruit production. Florida peach growers have a unique set of issues that sets them apart from other southeastern peach producers. Chief among these is the presence of the peach root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne floridensis. This nematode is capable of attacking many of the currently available rootstocks for peach and significantly reducing tree performance. ‘Flordaguard’ rootstock was developed specifically to deal with M. floridensis and has been shown to provide superior performance on infected sites when compared to trees on alternative rootstocks. Several new rootstocks with resistance to M. floridensis have recently been introduced. These rootstocks offer additional advantages that may be of value to growers. Production issues and guidelines are presented for producing ‘Flordaguard’ rootstocks (seedling and clonal) for budding. This bulletin provides guidance to growers on the rootstock issues of importance in Florida, especially regarding root-knot nematodes, and how the rootstocks currently available for peach compare on these points.