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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Geneva, New York » Plant Genetic Resources Unit (PGRU) » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #191432
Title: TRAITS OF THE NEXT WAVE OF GENEVA APPLE ROOTSTOCKS

Author
item Fazio, Gennaro
item ROBINSON, TERENCE - CORNELL UNIVERSITY
item ALDWINCKLE, HERB - CORNELL UNIVERSITY
item Mazzola, Mark
item LEINFELDER, MICHELE - CORNELL UNIVERSITY
item PARRA, RAFAEL - INIFAP CAMPO EXPERIMENT

Submitted to: Compact Fruit Tree
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/7/2005
Publication Date: 1/9/2006
Citation: Fazio, G., Robinson, T., Aldwinckle, H., Mazzola, M., Leinfelder, M., Parra, R. 2006. Traits of the next wave of geneva apple rootstocks. Meeting Abstract. Compact Fruit Tree 38(3):7-11.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The development of rootstocks that give us confidence, and are worthy inclusion in the decision making process prior to planting a new orchard is not an easy process. We must evaluate many traits in several locations for several years. Some of these traits are measured directly on the plants under selection; however, most are measured indirectly on the scion as replicated finished trees in an orchard setting, a process which requires an extended period of time, research effort, and funding resources. We present a synopsis of the work that is being performed by the Geneva breeding program and cooperators around the world on the characterization of new traits like graft union strength, drought tolerance, resistance to apple replant disease and resistance to fire blight. We also describe how breeding is still actively proceeding in Geneva with new crosses that utilize more exotic wild species from Kazakhstan (Malus sieversii) and the Caucasus (Malus orientalis) which are being preserved at the USDA ARS Plant Genetic Resources Unit in Geneva, NY. This new material is the source of new resistance and yield traits of the next wave of apple rootstocks.