Influence of Criconemella xenoplax and pruning time on short life of peach trees

Influences of Criconemella xenoplax and pruning dates were studied in field microplots with 'Nemaguard' peach cuttings on a site not previously planted to peaches. Trees with or without C. xenoplax were pruned beginning in December 1984 or March 1985. Peach tree short life (PTSL) did not occur in the absence of C. xenoplax. PTSL occurred earlier in December-pruned than in March-pruned inoculated trees. Results confirm that "old" peach sites are not required for PTSL to occur. Pruning Nemaguard and 'Lovell' greenhouse-grown seedlings reduced the root mass of both stocks and stimulated Nemaguard, but not Lovell, shoot regrowth. Numbers of C. xenoplax per gram of dry root were greater on pruned than on unpruned seedlings.