Rust [Tranzschelia discolor (Fuckel) Tranzschel and Litvinov] control in peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] cultivar 'Flordaprince' was evaluated through the use of two green pruning levels performed 45 days after harvest: light pruning and renovation pruning. Experimental works were conducted at University of São Paulo, Piracicaba-SP, Brazil, from November 2004 to January 2005. Experimental design was completely randomized with two treatments and 12 replicates. Experimental unit was comprised of two plants under central leader's system in a high density orchard (2777 trees ha-1). Incidence (% of diseased leaves) and severity (% of lesioned leaf area) were evaluated weekly from 33 to 81 days after green pruning in four shoots per experimental unit. Data were submitted to Fisher's Exact Test (rust incidence) and Wilcoxon's Test (rust severity). Rust lesions increased with leaf age regardless of pruning level. Rust incidence and severity were, respectively, 81, 95% of diseased leaves and 1,43% of lesioned leaf area, 81 days after green pruning. Renovation pruning did not decrease rust leaf lesions in 'Flordaprince' peach from 40 to 81 days after green pruning.
green pruning; Prunus persica (L.) Batsch; rust cultural control; stone fruits; Tranzschelia discolor (Fuckel) Tranzschel e Litvinov
