Mume (Prunus mume Sieb. et Zucc.) presents promising characteristics for use as rootstock for peach and nectarines trees, however, when adopted the sexual propagation, it results in very heterogeneous plants, as a function of the mume's great genetic variability. Three clones (Clones 05, 10 and 15), selected from plants grown in the Estação Experimental de Jundiaí (IAC), São Paulo State, Brazil, propagated vegetatively and maintained in FCAV/UNESP, Jaboticabal Campus, have been object of several studies to make possible the agronomical use of these materials. The present study had for objective to evaluate the growth of three mume clones and 'Okinawa' peach propagated by herbaceous cuttings. The rooted cuttings were transplanted for plastic bags, maintained in nursery conditions and evaluated (stem diameter and length) up to 145 days. The mume Clones 05, 10 and 15 presented continuous growth with relationship to stem length, while 'Okinawa' peach stabilized growth 100 days after transplant, reflecting in lower plants. Differences don't exist among the mume clones studied in stem diameter after 100 days and stem length after 115 days of rooted cuttings transplant. 'Okinawa' peach presents larger stem diameter in relation to mume Clones 05, 10 and 15, what defines larger percentage of capable rootstocks for accomplishment of graft.
Rootstock; vegetative propagation; Prunus spp
