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Title: Notice to fruit growers and nurserymen relative to the naming and release of 'Sharpe' clonal rootstock for peach

Author
item Beckman, Thomas
item CHAPARRO, JOSE - UNIV OF FL, GAINESVILLE
item SHERMAN, WAYNE - UNIV OF FL, GAINESVILLE

Submitted to: Germplasm Release
Publication Type: Germplasm Release
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/29/2007
Publication Date: 12/7/2007
Citation: Beckman, T.G., Chaparro, J.X., Sherman, W.B. 2007. Notice to fruit growers and nurserymen relative to the naming and release of 'Sharpe' clonal rootstock for peach. Germplasm Release.

Interpretive Summary: N/A

Technical Abstract: The Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture and the University of Florida jointly announce the naming and release of Sharpe clonal rootstock for peach. Sharpe, previously tested as FLA1-1, was discovered in the wild and appears to be a hybrid of Chickasaw plum (Prunus angustifolia) with an unknown plum species. Sharpe is readily propagated via softwood or hardwood cuttings. In field trials in central Georgia, trees budded on Sharpe provided resistance to peach tree short life (PTSL) comparable to those budded on Guardian. Trees of Sharpe displayed higher resistance to Armillaria root rot than did trees of Guardian. Trees budded on Sharpe displayed significantly lower vigor than those budded on Guardian. After 6 growing seasons, trunk cross-sectional area of trees budded on Sharpe was ca. 60% of those budded on Guardian rootstock. In field trials infested with root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne incognita and M. floridensis, respectively), Sharpe displayed no visible galling while in the same trials known susceptible rootstocks were severely galled. Sharpe has been tested for compatibility with a limited number of peach and nectarine scions. Graft unions with peach scions are typically smooth or may display a slight scion overgrowth as the trees mature. Sharpe is suggested for trial on Armillaria root rot infested sites where peach seedling type rootstocks often fail to provide satisfactory tree longevity.