Establishment of Peach in a Replant Site as Affected by Soil Fumigation, Rootstock, and Pruning Date. R. R. Sharpe, USDA-ARS, Southeastern Fruit and Tree Nut Research Laboratory, P.O. Box 87, Byron, GA 31008. C. C. Reilly, A. P. Nyczepir, and W. R. Okie. USDA-ARS, Southeastern Fruit and Tree Nut Research Laboratory, P.O. Box 87, Byron, GA 31008. Plant Dis. 73:412-415. Accepted for publication 12 December 1988. This article is in the public domain and not copyrightable. It may be freely reprinted with customary crediting of the source. The American Phytopathological Society, 1989. DOI: 10.1094/PD-73-0412.

On a peach tree short life (PTSL) site in Georgia, preplant soil fumigation with methyl bromide decreased nematode population densities and tree loss due to PTSL and increased trunk circumference and tree vigor. Soil fumigation interacted with both rootstock and pruning date, and the effects of the treatments were additive. December-pruned trees on Nemaguard rootstock without fumigation resulted in the greatest number of weak, poorly growing trees and dead trees. When soil was preplant-fumigated, either Lovell or Nemaguard rootstock could be used and time of pruning had less effect. Fumigation also decreased the number of trees with trunk injury caused by cold temperature. Development of cold damage was greater on Nemaguard than on Lovell rootstock and with December than with March pruning. Evidence of weakness and poor vigor was often an indication of susceptibility to PTSL.