ISHS Acta Horticulturae 283: IV International Symposium on Plum and Prune Genetics, Breeding and Pomology
BREEDING OF PLUM ROOTSTOCKS IN ROMANIA |
| Author: | I. BOTU |
| Abstract:
The plum growing has had a long tradition, this species covering large areas in Romania. With a view to the special care given to this fruit species, it was necessary to develop breeding programs for improving the varieties and plum rootstocks. At the Fruit Research Station Vilcea, a such of program was started 20 years ago, and two rootstoks (Otesani 8 and Otesani 11) were registered so far. The objectives of this program are various and complex. Besides the general aims like : Plum pox resistance, growth vigour control, easy propagation, grafting comptibility, a high and even yield, we have had in view some specific purposes such as, a good adaptability to heavy soils with a high clay content (up to 45%) typical of sub-Carthian hilly areas of Romania. For this program, genetic sources of different origin, belonging to Prunus genus were used. The most important are the gene sources collected from the numerous, autochtonous species (over 160). Among the methods employed for the genotype improvement we have mostly used the interspecific hybridizations and less the intraspecific ones. Also, the utilization of homozygous forms (self fertile) hold a special place. Mutagenesis, the modification of ploidy level, tissue culture, embryoculture, haploids culture obtained by ovo- and androgenesis are successful techniques already used but not enough developed in case of plum. At the Fruit Research Station Vilcea, there are over 25 thousands hybrids, which are under testing in various phases in order to be selected. The characters estimation is done in various stages according to a valuation system by electronic computer. | |
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