Development of ‘Maciel’ peach trees on different propagation systems

Abstract The development of new technologies for seedling production is essential in fruit growing. In this context, the objective was to compare vegetative and productive aspects of ‘Maciel’ peach trees and the quality of fruits from plants under different propagation systems. The experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design with four replications, in a 2 x 3 factorial scheme, two years (2014 and 2015) and three propagation systems (self-rooted ‘Maciel’ (minicutting), ‘Maciel’ with rootstock ‘Okinawa’ (minicutting) e ‘Maciel’ with rootstock ‘Okinawa’ (seed)). The variables evaluated were canopy volume, trunk diameter, yield, productive efficiency, fruit diameter, soluble solids (SS), titratable acidity (TA), SS/TA ratio, pH, pulp firmness, carotenoids, phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity. The self-rooted ‘Maciel’ peach plants, in the second year of evaluation, present higher canopy volume, trunk diameter and thus, they express higher yield and productive efficiency. Fruit quality how much soluble solids, titratable acidity, SS/TA ratio, pH and pulp firmness are not altered by different propagation systems. The use of different propagation systems over two years modifies the levels of carotenoids and phenolic compounds total and, consequently, the antioxidant capacity of the fruits of ‘Maciel’ peach plants.