Postharvest Stem Water Potential on Peach Trees cv. BRS-Kampai Own-Rooted or Grafted on Clonal Rootstocks.

One of the desired traits in rootstocks for stone fruits is tolerance to abiotic stresses, such as water deficit, which is one of the factors associated to peach tree short life syndrome that constitutes one of the main agronomic problems in Rio Grande do Sul's peach cultivation. This research aimed to discern the rootstock that best sustain water status and influences proline synthesis regulation in seven-year-old 'BRS-Kampai' peach trees grown non-irrigated sandy soil during the post-harvest period. Stem water potential in 'BRS-Kampai' peach trees was distinctly affected by the choice of rootstock, revealing heightened sensitivity to soil moisture depletion and atmospheric vapor pressure deficit escalation. When confronted with reduced gravimetric soil moisture (<7.0%), 'BRS-Kampai' peach trees grafted onto Clone 15 (Prunusmume) exhibited less negative stem water potential and higher leaf proline content, indicative of physiological adjustment to edaphoclimatic conditions. Conversely, 'BRS-Kampai' peach trees graffet onto 'Flordaguard' displayed increased vegetative growth. Notably, 'BRS-Kampai' own-rooted trees exhibited stem growth, leaf proline contents, and stem water potential similar to those of peach trees grafted onto 'Capdeboscq', thereby demonstrating robust adaptation to prevailing edaphoclimatic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]