The name MP-29 sounds like a weapon, and in a sense it is one. This plum-peach hybrid, which was released for commercial trial in 2011, is the one rootstock for peach with resistance to the eastern peach industry’s three biggest predators: peach tree short life (PTSL), root-knot nematodes and Armilaria root rot (ARR)
Rootstocks have been used in many tree fruit systems to provide growth advantages or pest or disease resistance without affecting productivity and fruit quality.
Subtropical peach production includes many practices, such as site selection, orchard design, and disease, weed, and insect management through to harvest.
Over the years, peach tree short life (also known as bacterial canker complex) and Armillaria root rot (ARR) have been the most common causes of premature mortality among peaches in the Southeastern U.S.
Florida’s mild winter climate and early spring season offer unique opportunities for early-season peach and nectarine production. Currently, Florida produces some of the earliest commercial-quality peaches and nectarines in North America.
Rootstock use in tree fruit crops has greatly enhanced the adaptability and longevity of orchards worldwide. Budded or grafted fruit trees are composed of the scion (fruiting portion) and the rootstock (rooting portion).
The popularity of new peach orchards in Florida is really taking off! With all the enthusiasm for growing and learning about a new crop, be sure to think through the basics of establishment and make a solid start to your new endeavor.