Rootstocks apples

In both studies the apples were grown in the biodynamic orchard Boomgaard ter Linde in the south-western part of the Netherlands. We used full grown apple trees of the Dutch variety Elstar on dwarf rootstock M9,2460 trees/ha, grown on limey humus sea loam with trickle irrigation. The experiment was replicated four times. 

Weibel, F.P., Ladner, J., Monney, P. and Sutter, F. (2006a). Improved organic and low-input apple production by weed competition tolerant rootstocks , Acta Horticulturae (.ISHS), Submitted Sept. 2006. 

Apples grow best n rich, free-draining soil with a pH of 6.5. If your soil is less fertile, you can compensate, not only by your soil treatment, but also by using a more vigorous rootstock or even growing the tree on its own roots. Choose an open site in full sun but protected from the wind. Avoid frost pockets. 

Over many centuries apples have been selected and bred to suit a very wide range of situations. There are now cultivars to suit warm and cool climates (Zones 3-9) with rootstocks to match. 

Like most fruit trees, apples are not grown on their own roots. Instead, they are grafted onto the roots of compatible trees, usually other apples. Rootstocks help to control the eventual size of the tree. Depending on the rootstock selected, the same cultivar of apple might grow 8 ft (2.5 m) or 30 ft (9 m) tall. Ask the nursery for advice on heights and rootstocks. 

Espaliered apple Just as climbers flower better when their shoots are trained horizontally, so apple espaliers can bear fine crops. With a vigorous rootstock, the tree can be trained with as many tiers of branches as space and inclination permit, but three, or perhaps four, is the norm. 

For general advice, see Apples (p.294). Most European plums will set some fruit without cross-pollination, but nearly all will yield better when cross-pollinated by another European cultivar. Japanese plums must be cross-pollinated by either a Japanese or American type. American plums also need cross-pollination for best yields. Rootstock choice can further influence your plum trees success. Ask a specialty fruit nursery for help in selecting a suitable combination of trees on appropriate rootstocks. 

Lord, W.J., R.A. Dammon Jr., and D.E. Robinson (1970). Comparative response of three apple rootstocks to soil incorporated simazine. J. Amer. Soc. Proc. Hortic. Sci., 95 737-739. 

In many cases cultivated soils have compacted areas which can severely impair tree growth. Compaction in soil may be due to factors associated with soil formation or geology, or it may have been caused by mechanical pressure from machinery or by deposits by transport and ground-levelling vehicles. If the soil is compacted it is absolutely essential to loosen the subsoil (e.g. by trenching or deep cultivation) before a new orchard is set up. Dwarfing rootstocks for apples and pears (M9, M27, quince C), elder and small fruit trees are particularly sensitive to soil compaction. 

M25. Vigour 80% of the seedling rootstock, early commencement of cropping, positive effect on fruit quality and commencement of cropping the rootstock is not sufficiently well anchored and is suitable for more extensive use (domestic gardens, cider apple production). 

Soil requirements are similar to those for apples. Pears, especially on a quince rootstock, suffer from chlorosis when the pH is high. 

Since plums and sweet cherries generally flower earlier than apples, a frost-free location which is sheltered from the wind is preferable. Antifrost irrigation is not possible for stone fruit. The soil should be well-drained. Plums tolerate a somewhat heavier soil than cherries. The choice of rootstock can compensate for these disadvantages, however. 

LiEE CYCLE. The water vole lives underground, is exclusively herbivorous and feeds mainly on fresh roots (unlike the field mouse, which feeds mainly on the less succulent parts, especially the roots of the M9 apple rootstock and the elder). It makes a complex system of tunnels in the ground, reaching a length of up to 80 m and usually going down to a depth of 50 cm. 

While they generally are considered a problem, viruses can sometimes give a plant desirable properties. For example, solid-color tulips, when infected with certain viruses, become mottled with bold blotches of color (these types are sold as Rembrandt tulips). Another virus infects an apple cultivar known as Mailing 9, which is used as a rootstock to dwarf apple trees. When special propagation techniques were used to rid some Mailing 9 plants of the virus, resulting trees no longer were as dwarfed. 

Apple trees can be grown in most places, but before you buy your trees, do get advice from your local supplier on three things the rootstock, the most appropriate variety, and pollination needs. Apples and pears are grafted onto rootstocks that determine the eventual size of the tree, the age when it starts to fruit, and the amount of fruit it can produce. Rootstock Ml 11 will produce a vigorous, wide-spreading standard tree that will start to produce fruit after six... 

Since most tropical soils are deficient in plant nutrients because of high temperatures, high rainfall and leaching, many of the most desirable new varieties are grafted onto older, more established varieties (35). This type of symbiotic relationship is not unique to hibiscus and is practiced with a wide variety of fruit trees and flowers including rose bushes, citrus trees, apple trees and grape vines. Rootstocks are used which are more resistent to soil nematodes and other diseases (36). For our research Albo Lacinatus (Anderson s Crepe Pink) was employed. Anderson s Crepe Pink is widely used as a root stock in Florida and... 

Sivaci, A. Sokmen, M. Gunes, T. (2007). Biochemical changes in green and etiolated stems of MM106 apple rootstock. Asian Journal of Plant Sciences, Vol.6, No.5, pp. 839-843, ISSN 1682-3974... 

Spraying apple rootstocks with Alar increased ABA levels and decreased the GA levels in stem tips [13]. We found that peanut seedlings treated with paclobutrazol resulted in a rapid increase in ABA and a reduction in GA in their leaves [Fig. 6 16]. On this basis, one might propose a competition between ABA and GA... 

Greene DW (1975) Cytokinin activity in xylem sap and extracts of MM 106 apple rootstocks. Hort Science 10 73-74... 

Zhang, J., Hausmann, L., Eibach, R., Welter, L.J., Topfer, R., Zyprian, E.M., 2009. A framework map from grapevine V3125 Vitis vinifera Schiava grossa x Riesling )x rootstock cultivar Bomer Vitis riparia x Vitis cinerea) to localize genetic determinants of phylloxera root resistance. Theor. Appl. Genet 119,1039-1051. 

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