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  • Author or Editor: María Ángeles Moreno x
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Trials were established at Aula Dei Experimental Station (EEAD-CSIC, Zaragoza, Spain) to assess graft compatibility between peach cultivars [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] and new Prunus spp. rootstocks or selections. Peach cvs. `Catherina' and `Tebana' and nectarine cvs. `Big Top' and `Summergrand' were grafted on peach seedlings, plum rootstocks, almond × peach hybrids, and other interspecific rootstocks. Part of the evaluated material belongs to the EEAD-CSIC selection program, which has showed good adaptation to Mediterranean growing conditions. Other rootstocks such as Bruce, Evrica, Hiawatha, Ishtara, Tetra, and Krymsk-1 have been recently introduced in Spain. A peach and a plum source, GF 677 and Adesoto 101, respectively, were used as compatible reference rootstocks. Both are widely used for peach and nectarine production in the Mediterranean area.

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The use of rootstocks tolerant to iron deficiency represents the best alternative to prevent Fe chlorosis for peach production in calcareous soils. Early detection laboratory screening procedures allow the selection of new Fe-efficient rootstock genotypes. Seventeen Prunus rootstocks were tested for root ferric chelate reductase (FC-R) enzymatic activity, leaf SPAD values, and field performance. Some rootstocks were used as a reference to compare with new Prunus selections. Micropropagated plants were grown in hydroponic culture with half-strength Hoagland's nutrient solution containing 90 μm Fe(III)-EDTA as a control treatment. Plants were transferred to iron-free fresh solutions for 4 days and were thereafter resupplied with 180 μm Fe(III)-EDTA for 1 or 2 days. In vivo FC-R activity was measured in all treatments, i.e., control, Fe-deficient, and 180 μm Fe(III)-EDTA resupplied plants. The FC-R activity after Fe resupply was higher in Fe-efficient genotypes such as AdesotoPVP, FelinemPVP, GF 677, Krymsk 86™, and PAC 9921-07 than in the controls. No induction of FC-R activity was found in other genotypes such as Barrier, Cadaman™-AvimagPVP, PAC 9907-23, and PAC 9908-02. An intermediate response was observed in GarnemPVP, Gisela 5PVP, Krymsk 1PVP, Torinel™-AvifelPVP, VSL-2™, and PAC 9904-01. According to the induction of FC-R activity after Fe resupply, genotypes were classified as tolerant, moderately tolerant, or nontolerant to iron-induced chlorosis. These results were compared with SPAD values of plants grown under controlled conditions and in the nursery. Rootstocks that show high induction of FC-R activity also showed high or very high SPAD values in the field.

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Changes in cell and tissue organization and in peroxidase activity have been analyzed to find early markers to predict graft incompatibility occurrence in peach/plum combinations (Prunus persica/Prunus spp.) at 5 months after grafting in the dormancy period. Different compatible and incompatible peach/plum grafts were grown for 5 months in a nursery. The cellular study of the graft interface revealed structural changes associated with graft incompatibility symptoms. The main structural features were cambium cell disorganization, less differentiation of vascular tissues, degeneration of phloem and xylem cells, and accumulation of phenols at the graft interface after 5 months of graft development. The peroxidase study was performed during dormancy and the vegetative growth period, and revealed a significant increase in peroxidase activity in the incompatible unions, with significant differences between compatible and incompatible grafts. Analysis of gel profiles of nonbudded rootstocks and scions revealed an anodal isoperoxidase band [relative front (Rf) = 0.48] present in scions and compatible rootstocks, and another isoperoxidase band (Rf = 0.53) only present in the incompatible rootstocks. Our results show that the analysis of cell organization to detect early structural events and the evaluation of peroxidase activity at graft unions constituted feasible and convenient methods for early diagnosis of graft incompatibility. Also, it was suggested that the presence of band Rf = 0.48 in plum rootstocks and peach cultivars could be used as a marker to predict graft compatibility for peach scions and plum rootstocks.

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