Articles
Imagine (apple) rootstocks
Article number
1346_73
Pages
585 – 594
Language
English
Abstract
For centuries rootstocks were considered just a means to propagate delectable fruit.
In the 20th century, they were used to dwarf plants, increase per hectare productivity, enable high density production systems, resist some very important diseases and insects and tolerate some abiotic stresses.
As our understanding of root-shoot relationships increases, we are developing more opportunities to utilize the breeding efficiencies generated by separating root (rootstock) trait selection from scion trait selection to include traits that were not envisioned possible.
Combined with the increased ability to dissect traits into their DNA components (and derived gene expression), we can imagine being able to use rootstocks to modulate more than the traditional traits.
For example, we have recently discovered that apple rootstocks can modulate the scions gene expression, hormone flux, nutrient concentration, and metabolite production and concentration.
We may be able to leverage rootstocks to plant orchards that have increased fruit quality, have reduced fruit storage disorders, are more mechanization compatible, or deliver therapeutic molecules to scions to resist more disease pressures.
With increasing diversity in the development of new scion varieties, it will become more important to precisely match rootstock and scion genotype with the climate, soil, and management system to optimize orchard productivity and efficiency; hence the term designer rootstock is meant to describe a unique rootstock that is compatible with a specific scion, soil, climate and management parameters which enable higher efficiencies in the production of high-quality fruit and nuts.
This evolution can be imagined and achieved for many tree crops that currently lack a designer rootstock component leading to enormous benefits from such systems.
The development and application of rootstock systems with novel traits are poised to provide the world with more diverse, affordable, environmentally sustainable horticultural tree crops.
In the 20th century, they were used to dwarf plants, increase per hectare productivity, enable high density production systems, resist some very important diseases and insects and tolerate some abiotic stresses.
As our understanding of root-shoot relationships increases, we are developing more opportunities to utilize the breeding efficiencies generated by separating root (rootstock) trait selection from scion trait selection to include traits that were not envisioned possible.
Combined with the increased ability to dissect traits into their DNA components (and derived gene expression), we can imagine being able to use rootstocks to modulate more than the traditional traits.
For example, we have recently discovered that apple rootstocks can modulate the scions gene expression, hormone flux, nutrient concentration, and metabolite production and concentration.
We may be able to leverage rootstocks to plant orchards that have increased fruit quality, have reduced fruit storage disorders, are more mechanization compatible, or deliver therapeutic molecules to scions to resist more disease pressures.
With increasing diversity in the development of new scion varieties, it will become more important to precisely match rootstock and scion genotype with the climate, soil, and management system to optimize orchard productivity and efficiency; hence the term designer rootstock is meant to describe a unique rootstock that is compatible with a specific scion, soil, climate and management parameters which enable higher efficiencies in the production of high-quality fruit and nuts.
This evolution can be imagined and achieved for many tree crops that currently lack a designer rootstock component leading to enormous benefits from such systems.
The development and application of rootstock systems with novel traits are poised to provide the world with more diverse, affordable, environmentally sustainable horticultural tree crops.
Publication
Authors
G. Fazio
Keywords
rootstock modulated trait, nutrient uptake, gene expression, rootstock breeding, yield components, fruit quality
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