ARS | Publication request: PEROXIDASE ISOZYME PROFILES IN COMPATIBLE AND INCOMPATIBLE PEAR-QUINCE GRAFT COMBINATIONS

Submitted to: Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: September 2, 2001
Publication Date: October 29, 2001

Interpretive Summary: Pear cultivars are often grafted onto quince rootstocks to form a dwarf pear tree. Some pear cultivars are compatible with qince, and others are not able to form and stable graft union. This study attempts to predict the compatibility of pears with quince based on the presence of certain enzymes in the plant tissue. Several enzymes were identified that may be useful in predicting graft compatibility of pear and quince.

Technical Abstract: The similarity or differences of peroxidase isozymes in rootstocks and scions may influence their graft compatibility. This study was conducted to identify peroxidase isozymes that may be used as markers to predict compatibility between pear (Pyrus communis L.) and various quince (Cydonia oblonga Mill.) clones. Many isozyme bands were observed; however, one anodal peroxidase A was detected in Beurre Hardy (compatible scion) but not in Bartlett (incompatible scion) samples. Matching of isoperoxidase "A" in quince rootstocks and Beurre Hardy pear scion may be associated with a compatible graft combination. Additionally, presence of isoperoxidases "A" and "B" in the graft union tissues may be used as an indicator to predict a compatible graft between Bartlett and quince rootstocks.