The present research had for objective to study the root distribution of 'Okinawa' peach trees propagated by seeds and herbaceous cuttings at field conditions. The plants, budded with 'Aurora-1' peach, were carried in 6.0 x 1.0 m space in a Hapludalfs soil with sandy medium texture, located in "São Benedito" farm, Taiaçu, São Paulo State, Brazil. All the cultural treatments recommended for the peach crop were accomplished, including micro-sprinkler irrigation. After 34 months of transplant, 3 plants of each kind of rootstock were evaluated, being demarcated 36 monoliths (0.5 x 0.5 x 0.4 m) round about of each plant, with iron bars (0.6 m) and plastic ribbons. The soil was removed with water jets (3.5 kgf.cm-2 of pressure and 4,615 L.h-1 of outflow) until 0.4 m depth. Rootstocks 'Okinawa' propagated by seeds and herbaceous cuttings present similar fine and thick roots distribution around the plant, with tendency of larger growth in transversal sense to line plantation. The fine roots (<FONT FACE=Symbol>Æ</FONT> < 2.8 mm) growth was besides to canopy projection and besides the evaluated distance of 1.5 m. Thick roots (<FONT FACE=Symbol>Æ</FONT> > 2.8 mm) growth was besides 0.4 m depth, allowing to the plants a suitable anchorage, in both kinds of studied rootstocks.
Prunus persica (L.) Batsch; stone fruits; rootstock; propagation method
