Search

This study aimed to evaluate the stability of ‘Big Top’ nectarine fruit quality (fruit weight, fruit mineral elements and fruit phytochemical composition such as soluble solids content, titratable acidity, individual sugars, individual organic acids, total ascorbic acid content, total phenolics content, and antioxidant capacity) when grafted on 20 Prunus rootstocks over two consecutive seasons. For most of the evaluated traits, rootstock was the main source of variability, whereas for Mg, malic and citric acids, and glucose most of the variability was observed among years. Similarly, the interaction year × rootstock was not significant for most traits (14 out of 21), hence highlighting that most rootstocks responded in a similar manner to changes in the weather conditions. Thus said, some important micro- and macro-nutrients such as Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, together with taste- (fructose, glucose and sucrose) or health-related (antioxidant capacity) compounds showed a differential influence of the rootstock depending on the year conditions and thereby suggested that climatic conditions can be a limiting factor in the choice of rootstocks for a given nectarine cultivar. Overall, the results from this study indicated that the cherry-plum hybrid Krimsk-1 and the peach-plum hybrid PS rootstocks are the most suitable rootstocks for ‘Big Top’ under the conditions investigated herein. Both rootstocks induced high values on sugar profile, ascorbic acid, antioxidant activity, and TPC of ‘Big Top’ nectarine being relatively stable regardless of the weather conditions. Finally, the rootstocks IRTA-1 and Rootpac-20 also induced good fruit quality and phytochemical properties to ‘Big Top’ fruit. info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersion

The objective of this work was to evaluate the agronomic performance (vigor, yield, yield efficiency, number of root suckers), fruit quality (fruit weight, fruit size, flesh firmness, soluble solids content, and titratable acidity), leaf and fruit mineral nutrition (macro and micro elements), leaf chlorophyll concentration and iron chlorosis susceptibility of ‘Big Top’ nectarine cultivar grafted on 20 Prunus rootstocks and grown in loamy and calcareous soil under the hot climate conditions of the Ebro river basin (Spain). After the 10 years of the study (at 11th leaf), statistical analysis showed significant differences among rootstocks for most of the traits evaluated. Based on vigor and cumulative yield, ‘Big Top’ trees from Padac 04-03 rootstock were found to be the most vigorous and productive, followed by Castore, GF-677, Ishtara®, PS and Rootpac® 70. However, the most efficient rootstocks were Controller 5, Adesoto® 101, Rootpac® 40, Krymsk® 1, Ishtara®, Penta, IRTA-1, Polluce, and Padac-150. ‘Big Top’ fruits from Rootpac® 40 had the highest fruit weight and fruit size (>70 mm), with good soluble solids content and titratable acidity, but less firmness than the other ‘Big Top’ fruits. After 3 months with no application of chelate, chlorosis symptoms were visible in most of the trees, with those from Krymsk® 1 and PS showing the highest susceptibility. In contrast, AD-105, Adesoto® 101, Cadaman®, GF-677, Padac-150, Rootpac® 40 and Tetra were the least susceptible rootstocks. Controller 5, IRTA-1, Padac-04.03 and Penta had moderate susceptibility. In conclusion, Rootpac® 40, Ishtara®, IRTA-1 and Padac-150 may represent a good compromise between canopy size control, yield, yield efficiency, fruit size, and susceptibility to iron chlorosis. info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersion