Alkaline Soil Tolerance of Rootstocks included in the NC-140 'Redhaven' Peach Trial

摘要

Prunus rootstocks budded to 'Redhaven' peach were planted at 3 locations in the Intermountain West region of North America as part of the 2009 NC-140 peach trial. The three locations were similar in climate and elevation but differed in soil texture and pH. Tolerance to soil conditions was evaluated by comparing tree growth across the 3 locations over 9 years and by measuring leaf chlorophyll content annually at the most alkaline site. Tree growth had a strong location by rootstock interaction. Comparing relative tree growth between the two Utah sites indicated that tolerance to the more alkaline soil was related to genetic background, where P. persica rootstocks were least tolerant, selections from other species were most tolerant, and hybrids containing P. persica background were intermediate. Leaf chlorophyll measurements to compare iron chlorosis showed similar correlations with genetic background. Tree growth at the Colorado location did not show the same correlation and may be due to differences in soil texture.