ISHS Acta Horticulturae 283: IV International Symposium on Plum and Prune Genetics, Breeding and Pomology
RESULTS OF PLUM-ROOTSTOCK TRIALS IN THE NETHERLANDS |
| Author: | S.J. Wertheim |
| Abstract:
Plum-rootstock research in the Netherland is aimed at finding a less vigorous rootstock than the commonly used St Julien A. Since 1975 several trials were planted in various experimental gardens, most of which are still running. In these trials the rootstocks Tonneboer, Marianna 2624, P 2038-1A, Prunus besseyi and 2 selections of this species and especially Pixy were compared with St Julïen A with several scion cultivars. Marianna 2624 and Tonneboer proved as vigorous as St Julien A. In other features, too, these rootstocks did not surpass St Julien A and are, therefore, of no interest. P 2038-1A did grow less vigorously than St Julien A. With Victoria it equalled Pixy, but with Czar it was still close to St Julien A. In production effiency it equalled (Czar) or surpassed (Victoria) St Julien A or Pixy. In fuit size P 2038-1A was better than Pixy and with Victoria even better than St Julien A. For Victoria P 2038-1A appears an interesting rootstock although it showed more root suckering than St Julien A. It warrants further attention. Prunus besseyi induced clearly less growth than St Julien A and it equalled Pixy in this respect. In production effiency Prunus besseyi was better than St Julien A but equal to Pixy. Fruit size on Prunus besseyi was smaller than on St Julien A but equal to that on Pixy. However, Prunus besseyi can not be recommended because through incompatibility. too many trees died during the course of the trials. Pixy induced less vigour than St Julien A in all cultivars, although not always significantly so. Production effiency of trees on Pixy compared to those on St Julien A varied per cultivar. In all cultivars fruits from Pixy trees were smaller than those from trees on St Julien A, but not significantly in all cultivars. With some cultivars on Pixy the weight percentage of large (Class I) fruit was too much reduced compared to that with St Julien A. For each cultivar therefore, the effects on fruit size and on cropping efficiency must be evaluated economically before Pixy can be recommended. In general it can be said that till now no satisfactory dwarfing plum-rootstock has been found. So, the search must go on. | |
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