Peach-nectarine: comparison of the behavior of eleven rootstocks - first observations realized in France from an evaluation network

Rootstocks choice represents an important part of the techno-economic success of the future orchard. The ideal rootstock needs to satisfy various conditions, independent of each other: adaptation to pedoclimatic and soil biology conditions, high level of vigor, quick enter in production, regularity of production in term of quality and quantity, compatibility with the cultivar, good aptitude to replantation. The available rootstocks respond partially to these objectives; however, the strong societal expectations in terms of reduction of inputs (fertilizer and water) need to dispose of more vigorous rootstocks. The objective of the trial is to identify, among the new tested rootstocks, those that have an equal or superior vigor than the references. The rootstocks with this particularity could permit i) a reduction of the inputs (fertilizer and water) in a context of a more environmentally respectful agriculture, ii) a use in a replantation context (resistance to soil fungus), iii) a wider adaptation to various types of soil. The study is led in the frame of the 'cultivars and rootstocks assessment national chart'. This study is realized by a network that includes four sites localized in the main peach and nectarine French basin of production. The trials are conducted with the cultivar ‘CRISTAL^® Monries cov’ (white flesh nectarine) and were planted during the winter 2012-2013. Eleven rootstocks, from various origins are assessed: ‘Rootpac^® 90 Greenpac’, ‘Rootpac^® 70 Purplepac’, ‘Rootpac^® 40 Nanopac’, ‘Rootpac^® Replantpac’, ‘Garnem GN 15’, ‘PF 8’, ‘ZH 8’, ‘Krimsk 86^® Kuban’, ‘P 2175’, ‘Myran^® Yumir’ and ‘GF 43’.