Differences in Growth and Water Use Efficiency in Four Almond Varieties Grafted onto Rootpac-20

Almond cultivation in the Mediterranean area has undergone important changes leading to current trend of intensification. In this scenario, low-vigor rootstocks have recently been developed, such as ‘Rootpac®’ series, but knowledge about rootstock’s influence on adaptation high-density planting systems is very scarce. The objective work was assess morphological and physiological response four almond cultivars grafted ‘Rootpac-20’. To end, one-year-old plants (Prunus dulcis (Mill) D. A. Webb.) cv ‘Penta’ (P), ‘Guara’ (G), ‘Vialfas’ (V) ‘Soleta’ (S) were grown pots, irrigated at field capacity (from June September). Plant height trunk diameter measured periodically, water use efficiency production determined end trial. Evapotranspiration throughout experiment. greater S G Similarly, tallest while shortest ones P. general, had a higher than V ‘Rootpac-20’ evapotranspiration values (+25%), which an issue when selecting plant material, especially case limited availability for irrigation.