Germination potential and initial growth of seedlings of peach rootstocks genotypes

The selection and use of peach rootstock genotypes capable of producing seeds with high germination rates, vigor, and uniformity in the early growth stages are crucial for enhancing the production efficiency of nurseries and peach farmers. This study aimed to evaluate the germination potential and morphological traits associated with the initial vigor of seedlings from different peach rootstock genotypes. Seeds from the cultivar ‘Capdeboscq’ and four peach rootstock selections (“Okinawa Roxo”, “NR0060408”, “NR0160305” and “NR0170302”) were used. The experiment followed a completely randomized design with five treatments (genotypes) and four replicates of 10 seeds per replicate. Germination potential was evaluated through germination percentage, average emergence time, and emergence speed index. The initial seedling growth was assessed 40 days after emergence, recording plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves, and leaf area. The rootstock selections “NR0060408”, “NR0160305” and “NR0170302” demonstrated superior phenotypic performance compared to ‘Capdeboscq’, which serves as a standard comparison in Brazil.