From root to fruit -- How rootstocks properties influence fruit production and quality скачать в хорошем качестве

From root to fruit -- How rootstocks properties influence fruit production and quality

Gennaro Fazio, Plant breeder and research geneticist, USDA-ARS Plant Genetic Resources Unit, Geneva, NY Cornell University Dept. of Horticulture seminar series, March 3, 2014 Rootstocks are the foundation of a healthy and productive orchard. As such, the choice of a rootstock can influence the productivity and profitability of an orchard in a very significant way. Rootstock performance is highly correlated with the genetic potential of such rootstock to provide anchorage, explore the soil profile, absorb and transfer nutrients to the scion, adapt to pedo-climatic conditions, tolerate extreme weather events, resist or cope with pathogens, propagate efficiently and impart positive architectural properties to the scion -- like vigor control and precocity. In the Geneva® breeding program we have been studying root architecture, nutrient uptake and translocation, and inheritance of gene expression to better characterize breeding populations and select parents and seedlings for the next generation of apple rootstocks. We present data relating to these traits and how they are associated with good performance of released and elite stage apple rootstocks.