The aim of this study was to quantify the carbohydrates content (starch and soluble sugars) in bud tissues and bud base of peach trees (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch) cultivar Jubileu in plants with and without Peach-tree-short-life (PTSL) symptoms during the dormant period. The branches were collected in four different times during the dormant period (June, 11th, July, 11th, July, 29th, August, 05th) in the winter of 2003. Two experiments were conducted separately, one for each orchard. The higher concentration of starch in plnt tissues without PTSL symptoms in the final of the dormant period provided a suitable energetic supply , leading to a regular and uniform budbreak of the plants. On the other hand, the budbreak anticipation of the plants with PTSL symptoms, which was provoked by the syndrome starting, intensified the starch and sorbitol breakdown in both tissues in the final of the dormant period, possibly producing glucose and fructose.
Prunus sp.; starch; soluble sugars; Peach-tree-shot-life
