Project Number: 5358-21000-044-04
Project Type: Trust

Start Date: Mar 01, 2012
End Date: Jul 31, 2013

Objective:
Objectives over three years: 1. Identify the most easily multiplied/propagated of 24 cold-hardy quince clones. 2. Optimize in vitro propagation of selected clones. 3. Multiply enough quince clones, with and without interstems, to be grafted for multi-site field trials. 4. Field test ungrafted quince selections for fire blight resistance. 5. Establish replicated grafted field trials in Hood River and Wenatchee to determine tree vigor and productivity.

Approach:
The USDA-ARS germplasm repository for quince is located in Corvallis, Oregon, and houses a wide representation of the world's diversity of quince. In our recent study, 24 cold hardy quince genotypes were identified and these plants are now available for evaluating ease of propagation so as to identify the best clones for use in field trials. We are proposing to evaluate ease of propagation by hard and softwood cuttings and by tissue culture. The 10 most easily propagated clones will be increased for a field trial to be grafted with Bartlett and Anjou, with or without interstems of Beurre Hardy. We will also explore the use of micrografting of interstems onto tissue culture plants to produce a ready-to-graft interstem tree in one year. Two fire blight resistant quince clones recently imported from Bulgaria will also be included in the trials. During the second year a commercial nursery will be employed to graft Anjou and Bartlett onto the most promising quince clones for replicated field trials. Also in year 2, field trials will be planted in West Virginia to examine how ungrafted quince clones stand up to natural fire blight exposure. In the third year replicated field trials using Anjou and Bartlett, with and without a quince-compatible interstem will be established in Hood River, OR and Wenatchee, WA to assess dwarfing, graft compatibility and fruit production using the 8 or 10 most cold hardy, easily propagated and fire blight resistant quince rootstock selections.