Rootstocks are fundamental for peach production, and their architectural root traits determine their performance. Root-system architecture (RSA) analysis is one of the key factors involved in rootstock selection. However, there are few RSA studies on Prunus spp., mostly due to the tedious and time-consuming labor of measuring below-ground roots. A root-phenotyping experiment was developed to analyze the RSA of seedlings from ‘Okinawa’ and ‘Guardian’TM peach rootstocks. The seedlings were established in rhizoboxes and their root systems scanned and architecturally analyzed. The root-system depth:width ratio (D:W) throughout the experiment, as well as the root morphological parameters, the depth rooting parameters, and the root angular spread were estimated. The ‘Okinawa’ exhibited greater root morphological traits, as well as the other parameters, confirming the relevance of the spatial disposition and growth pattern of the root system.
Traditionally, peach rootstocks are propagated by seeds due to their high availability, low cost, and easy storage and handling. However, stem cuttings allow the propagation of interspecific hybrids and keep the genetic uniformity of heterozygous genotypes. This study compared the effect of four different concentrations of K-IBA (indole-3-butyric acid potassium salt) on softwood cuttings of three peach backcrosses (peach × (peach × almond)) for rootstock propagation in two propagation systems: aeroponics and germination trays. The four concentrations of K-IBA applied were: 0.0% (w/v) as a control, 0.1% (w/v), 0.2% (w/v), and 0.4% (w/v). Data were collected on the survival rate (%), rooting rate (%), and root growth parameters. The relevance of auxin for peach cuttings rooting was evidenced. K-IBA at 0.2% showed the best rooting effect for peach softwood cuttings, evidenced by its high rooting rate and higher survival rate. K-IBA at 0.4% and 0.2% produced the highest number of adventitious roots. The highest root growth parameters were obtained in germination trays, confirming the suitability of this system for root growth. However, aeroponics was demonstrated to be as efficient as the traditional germination trays for the rooting of peach cuttings, allowing for a more controlled environment with a better use of resources.
The Southeastern United States is facing agriculture crises, such as the ongoing epidemic of citrus greening disease that has forced the region to begin looking into alternative crops. Some of these belong to the Rosaceae genus Prunus, which encompasses many economically important species such as peaches, almonds, cherries, plums, and more. Peach production in Florida has become a very promising alternative to citrus; however, there are different limitations and challenges that peach production faces in this region. Differing climates coupled with edaphic challenges such as salinity, alkalinity, and waterlogging have been the focus of much of the research into the viability of peach production in the region. Using the genetic diversity of the Prunus genus is crucial to the success of peach as an alternative crop, due to the nature of its propagation on rootstocks. The development of new rootstock cultivars has been—and continues to be—the most efficient way not only to deal with the variety of problems associated with the climate and soil mentioned above but also to mitigate the effects of pests and diseases. The vegetative propagation of stone fruit rootstocks also has distinct advantages that seed propagation cannot achieve, including tree performance uniformity and the multiplication of interspecific hybrids. Tools used to select the best-performing rootstocks for the area such as the root system architecture (RSA) analysis are fundamental to this development process to ensure that the rootstock cultivars with the traits needed for success in the region are selected. This narrative review lays out all the challenges facing southeastern peach production in detail, discussing the research into these challenges and highlighting the tools that are most crucial to the success of peach production in the region to create a resource for researchers, growers, and breeders to more easily access this information.
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