Response on Phenological, Fruiting Behaviour and Growth Characteristics of F1 Candidates Rootstock Seedlings of Peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch]

Aim: The aim of present study was to evaluate the flowering and fruiting behaviour of different variety of peach, plum along with growth characteristics of their F1 hybrids and identification hybrid rootstocks for future genetic improvement.

Study Design: The experiment was designed in Randomized Block Design Factorial with three replications.

Place and Duration of Study: Rootstock hybridization programme were carried out at main fruit research station Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab during 2016-17 and 2017-18.

Methodology: Rootstock hybridization programme were carried out with three varieties two peach namely Sharbati and Flordaguard and one plum Kala amritsari and study the phenological, fruiting behavior and growth performance of seedlings of parents and F1 hybrids.

Results: Higher days from full bloom to maturity take by Sharbati × Flordaguard (129.4 Days) and minimum in Kala amritsari × Flordaguard (111.1 Days). For completion of stratification seeds of Sharbati and Sharbati × Flordaguard took maximum days for stratification (90-105 Days and 30-105 Days, respectively) and minimum in Flordaguard (30-60 Days). Seed germination % higher in Flordaguard (97.15%) and minimum in Sharbati × Kala amritsari (70.81%). Pollen viability in stored and fresh pollen was highest in Flordaguard (96.26 and 97.58%), while, minimum in Sharbati (90.89% and 96.60%). Leaf colour values (L, a, b, chroma and hue) maximum were in Sharbati and minimum in Flordaguard and leaf colour values of both hybrids, were as Flordaguard. Maximum chlorophyll (SPAD units) were recorded in Flordaguard × Sharbati (42.87) which was at par with the SAPD values of Sharbati × Flordaguard. Leaves of Flordaguard and both the hybrids showed dark reddish green colour on upper and light reddish green in lower side of leaves. Seedlings of Sharbati, Sharbati × Flordaguard and Flordaguard × Sharbati showed better growth characteristics as compares to seedlings of Flordaguard.

Conclusion: The advance candidate hybrid rootstocks may be useful for further exploitation for genetic improvement and development of rootstock with good nursery characters.