Post-harvest Management of Prunus persica Stones and the Effects on Seed and Seedling Quality

Sa？etak The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of two forms of post-harvest management of 'Capdeboscq' peach stones (Farmer-Management and UFPel-Management) on the quality of seeds and seedlings to be used as rootstock. The experimental design was completely randomised with four replications of 50 seeds. The variables to be analysed were fresh seed weight, seed moisture content, percentage of intact and fungus-infected seeds, germination percentage, germination speed index (GSI) and seedling height up to 24 days after planting (DAP). At 24 DAP, the stem diameter, Soil Plant Analysis Development (SPAD index), chlorophyll index, nitrogen balance index, shoot dry weight, root dry weight, total dry weight and the Dickson quality index (DQI) were evaluated. The seeds from traditional farmer management showed a high rate of infestation by phytopathogens (36%) and only 64% of intact seeds. The seeds from the Federal University of Pelotas (UFPel) management showed a rate of germination 1.63 times greater than those from the farmer management. It was concluded that proper post-harvest management of the stones, removing the pulp and treating the stones with fungicide, had a direct effect on maintaining the physiological quality of seed intended for the production of rootstock, making it possible to obtain increased vigour and higher initial seedling quality