Evaluation of root systems of seven peach rootstocks

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare root distribution and length, using 8-year-old peach trees planted in a sandy loam of medium depth and good drainage, with drip irrigation in Paine (Chile). The rootstocks included: ‘Cadaman-Avimag’, ‘Viking’, ‘Atlas’, ‘G×N 15’, ‘GF 677’, ‘MRS 2/5’ with ‘Nema-guard’ as the control. The root systems were measured by excavating soil profile trenches of 1 m depth and 2.4 m in length, and placing a squared steel mesh over the soil profile to take the pictures. Photographs of the roots found in each square were taken and the images were processed with SIARCS® software, which enabled the calculation of root length for a given depth within the soil profile, and the total root distribution. Results were analyzed with ANOVAs and Tukey’s tests at a significance level of 0.05.

The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare root distribution and length, using 8-year-old peach trees planted in a sandy loam of medium depth and good drainage, with drip irrigation in Paine (Chile). The rootstocks included: ‘Cadaman-Avimag’, ‘Viking’, ‘Atlas’, ‘G×N 15’, ‘GF 677’, ‘MRS 2/5’ with ‘Nema-guard’ as the control. The root systems were measured by excavating soil profile trenches of 1 m depth and 2.4 m in length, and placing a squared steel mesh over the soil profile to take the pictures. Photographs of the roots found in each square were taken and the images were processed with SIARCS® software, which enabled the calculation of root length for a given depth within the soil profile, and the total root distribution. Results were analyzed with ANOVAs and Tukey’s tests at a significance level of 0.05.