Different environments and doses of controlled-release fertilizer in peach rootstocks production

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different environments and doses of controlled-release fertilizer (CRF) on the initial growth of peach rootstocks [Prunus persica L. (Batsch)] cv. Capdeboscq. The experimental design was completely randomized, in a 2 x 4 factorial design, four replications and five plants per plot. The treatments were the combination of two cultivation environments (on open-air benches and greenhouse benches) and four doses of CRF (0, 2, 4 and 8 g L^-1 of substrate), in the 19-06-10 NPK formulation. Ninety days after their transplanting, the variables plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves per plant, shoot dry matter, root dry matter, total dry matter, plant height and stem diameter ratio were evaluated in addition to the Dickson Quality Index. All morphological variables evaluated presented a quadratic positive response to the increase of the applied fertilizer until the dosage of maximum technical efficiency (around 6,2 g L^-1). The maintenance of the plants in greenhouse benches and the incorporation of 4 g L^-1 CRF to the substrate ensures greater efficiency in the input use, reducing the amount of time necessary for peach trees cv. Capdeboscq to achieve their grafting point and to be used as rootstocks.