The Importance of Apple Rootstocks on Tree Growth, Yield, Fruit Quality, Leaf Nutrition, and Photosynthesis with an Emphasis on ‘Fuji’
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The Importance of Apple Rootstocks on Tree Growth, Yield, Fruit Quality, Leaf Nutrition, and Photosynthesis with an Emphasis on ‘Fuji’ Esmaeil Fallahi,1 W. Michael Colt,2 Bahar Fallahi,3 and Ik-Jo Chun4 ADDITIONAL INDEX WORDS. ‘Fuji’, high density orchards, rootstock history, Malus domestica SUMMARY. Tree fruit rootstocks are used to influence precocity, tree size, fruit quality, yield efficiency, mineral uptake, and to withstand adverse environmental conditions. In this paper, we will briefly discuss the history and literature of apple (Malus domestica) rootstocks and their effects on scion tree growth, yield, fruit quality, leaf mineral nutrition, and photosynthesis. Then, the results of our long-term study on the effects of rootstocks on tree growth, yield, fruit quality and leaf mineral nutrition, and one season of photosynthesis measurement in ‘BC- 2 Fuji’ will be presented and discussed. In this study, ‘Fuji’ trees on ‘Malling 9 NAKBAT337’ (M.9) rootstock had the smallest trunk cross-sectional area (TCA), highest yield efficiency, and were the most precocious followed by those on ‘East Malling-Long Ashton 26’ (M.26 EMLA) and ‘East Malling-Long Ashton 7’ (M.7 EMLA). Trees on M.7 EMLA often had larger fruit with less color than those on M.9 and M.26 EMLA. Trees on M.7 EMLA frequently had greater leaf K than those on other rootstocks. Trees on M.26 EMLA always had greater leaf Mg than those on other rootstocks. Leaves from the current terminal shoots (CTS) of trees on M.9 had higher net photosynthesis and transpiration than those on M.7 EMLA rootstock during 1998 growing season. ukey (1964) and Rom and Carlson (1987) reviewed the his- torical background of dwarfing apples rootstocks. Apple cul- Tture using dwarfing trees can be traced back to 3 centuries before Christ in Persia and Asia Minor. From Persia, Alexander the Great sent a dwarf apple tree to the Lyceum, a center of learning created by Aristotle. Theophrastus, who was a student of Aristotle and directed the Lyceum, mentions that the dwarf apple trees had long been grown in Persia and Asia Minor. The word pardis in the Persian language means heaven, and the apple was believed to be a fruit from heaven. Pardis (Sanskrit paradeca) also means orchard or garden in Persian. Authors wish to express their appreciation to the Idaho Apple Commission and Washington State Tree Fruit Research Commission for their financial support of this project. 1Professor of pomology and corresponding author, Department of Plant, Soil, and Entomological Sciences, Parma Research and Extension Ctr., University of Idaho, 29603 U of I Lane, Parma, Idaho, 83660. 2Associate professor, Extension Horticulturist, University of Idaho. 3Research assistant of pomology, University of Idaho. 4Postdoctoral fellow, University of Idaho. 38 ● January–March 2002 12(1) Symp.1 38 11/28/01, 10:05 AM Pardis is a dwarfing, low-growing the ‘Oregon Apple Rootstock’ (OAR evaluated the performance of ‘Rogers and self-rooting apple. Use of dwarf 1) was introduced. In 1953, Cornell- Red McIntosh’ and ‘Macspur’ apples horses and dwarf trees were popular in Geneva (CG) rootstocks were devel- on M.7A, M.26, M.9, and M.9/ Persia, and this it reflected in the hiero- oped from the open pollination of MM.111 rootstocks. In their study, glyphics of Persepolis, the palace of dwarfing M.8 rootstock with M.1 to trees on M.7A were the largest in size Achaemenian and other documents M.16 of the Malling series in Geneva, after 10 years. Those on M.26 and and monuments of Sassanians, N.Y. Other groups of rootstocks such M.9/MM.111 were similar in size and Parthians and Safavids dynasties. This as the Polish series (P) in Poland in trees on M.9 were the smallest. Trees Persian word in English is paradise. By 1954, the Ottawa series (O) in Canada on M.9 were the most precocious, the mid-15th century, use of dwarfing in 1961, the Budagovsky series (B or yield efficient, with greatest fruit set in apple rootstocks for training trees in Bud.) in 1976, and the Michigan se- the third and fourth growing seasons. different shapes and forms in gardens ries (MAC) in the U.S. in 1980 were Autio and Southwick (1993) also re- became more common. At that time, developed later. The conclusion of ported that trees on M.7A had their two groups of rootstocks were re- Hall (1915) was later refuted by many highest yield through the tenth sea- corded: one was ‘French Paradise’, other researchers (Kelsall, 1946; Re- son, followed by those on M.26. which was very dwarf, and the less gional Rootstock Research Project Meheriuk et al. (1994) assessed the dwarfing rootstock called ‘Doucin’ or (NC-140), 1991; Norton, 1970). effects of four rootstocks and reported ‘English Paradise’. In 1912, research- Today, most of the existing apple or- that tree canopies on M.9 EMLA and ers at the East Malling Research in chards in the United States and other ‘Ottawa 3’ were smaller and were more Kent, England began to gather apple-growing regions of the world yield efficient than canopies on M.26 rootstocks named ‘Paradise’ and are planted on the clonal rootstocks. or M.4. ‘Doucin’ from around the world. Be- Drake et al. (1988) reported that tween 1912 and 1918, clonal Malling Growth, yield, and fruit fruit maturity of ‘Goldspur Golden (M) rootstocks were classified and de- quality of traditional apple Delicious’ apples on MM.111 was scribed in East Malling. In 1920, East cultivars delayed compared to fruit on M.26 or Malling and Merton Stations collabo- seedling rootstocks. Fallahi et al. rated and hybridized the ‘Northern Dwarfing rootstocks are widely (1985a, 1985b) observed a delay in Spy’ and Malling rootstocks and cre- used in the apple industry in the U.S. ripening of ‘Starkspur Golden Deli- ated Malling-Merton (MM) and other parts of the world. Interstems cious’ apple on OAR 1 compared to rootstocks. have been tested to control tree size fruit on seedling, MM.111, MM.106, Dwarfing rootstocks were im- and to avoid the need for tree support, M.7, and M.26 rootstocks. Autio et al. ported to the United States from Eu- but have not gained wide acceptance. (1991) reported a tendency for M.27 rope in the early 1800s. Interest in In the recent years, tree growth and to advance maturity in ‘Starkspur Su- using dwarfing rootstocks for apple productivity of ‘Delicious’ apple trees preme Delicious’ and for OAR 1 to trees in the United States had several on many dwarfing rootstocks have been delay maturity in this cultivar. They cycles, and each cycle had a different evaluated within the scope of national also found a slight advancement in reason (Tukey, 1964). In early 1880s, program, NC-140 (1990, 1991, 1996) maturity of ‘McIntosh’ on ‘Ottawa 3’ these rootstocks were used only for in the United States. Autio and compared to M.26, M.7 EMLA, or ornamental or home gardening pur- Southwick (1986) studied tree growth, M.7 A. Meheriuk et al. (1994) found poses. Between 1835 and 1860, there yield, and anchorage of ‘Starkrimson small or no difference among was an increased interest in dwarfing Delicious’ and ‘Gardiner Delicious’ rootstocks for the scion fruit internal fruit trees in America. This interest apple trees on M.26, MM.111, M.7A ethylene, soluble solids, skin color, declined between 1860 and 1890 be- rootstocks and M.9/M.111 and M.9/ firmness, and average fruit weight. cause of heavy fruit production, result- MM.106. They found that trees on Ferree (1992) reported that rootstock ing in low prices. In 1890, the interest MM.111 were the largest, least pro- and interstems had very little effect on in the use of dwarfing trees increased ductive (per tree basis), least efficient, fruit size of ‘Smoothee Golden Deli- again because of the need to control and produced the lowest amount of cious’ apple. san jose scale (Aspidiotus perniciosus) yield per area. Trees on this rootstock, Autio and Southwick (1993) ex- by fumigating with hydrogen cyanide however, had better anchorage than perimenting with three rootstocks and gas, and smaller trees were easier to any other rootstock or rootstock– M9/MM.111, found that ‘McIntosh’ fumigate. After the introduction of interstem combination (Autio and fruit from trees on M.9/MM.111 had lime sulfur and oil spray to control the Southwick, 1986). Ferree (1992) com- the most surface red color, while trees San Jose scale between 1907 and 1910, pared performance of ‘Smoothee on M.7 A had the least red color. In the interest in dwarf apple trees ceased Golden Delicious’ apple on two that report, fruits from trees on M.9 almost as quickly as it had begun. Hall rootstocks and four dwarfing and M.26 had similar skin color. Fruit (1915) summarized the work of U.P. interstems over 10 years. He reported weight was greatest for trees on M.9 Hedrick and concluded that dwarf that trees on M.7 had the largest canopy rootstock (Autio and Southwick, apple trees were not commercially vi- volume and truck cross-sectional area 1993). able. By 1920, use of dwarfing root- and lowest cumulative yield per hect- Leaf mineral nutrition of stock was virtually discredited. In 1920, are. Trees on MM.111 with an Malling rootstocks were tested in New interstem of M.27 were smaller than traditional apple cultivars York, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts trees with an interstem of M.9 (Ferree, The effect of rootstocks on nutri- for the first time in the U.S. In 1943, 1992). Autio and Southwick (1993) ent requirement is related directly to ● January–March 2002 12(1) 39 Symp.1 39 11/28/01, 10:05 AM the influence of rootstock on tree size, (1976) noted that leaf Ca of trees on plays a major role on uptake and trans- specifically the amount of structural MM.111 was lower than those on location of minerals.