Comparison of a range of rootstocks (Malling and Geneva^®) on ‘Bramley’ apple growth and production in clean and replant soils

The Irish climate is predicted to change toward wetter winters and drier summers.
The Irish apple industry is based mainly on the’M.9’ rootstock, which suffers in wet conditions.
Alternative disease-resistance rootstocks must therefore be tested for their compatibility with ‘Bramley’ in terms of growth, form, and function to prepare the industry for ongoing climatic changes.
Two experiments were established with ‘Bramley’ scions grafted onto a selection of rootstocks from the Geneva^® series in addition to ‘Supporter 4’ and ‘M.116’. These new combinations have been planted with their reference Malling equivalents in two replicated trials at Loughgall.
The Geneva^® series is fire blight resistant, and Ireland has now lost its fire blight-free designation.
The trees were planted in Spring 2009. Experiment one looked at physical growth characteristics, while experiment two examined yield responses to Apple Replant Disease.
No graft incompatibilities were observed for ‘Bramley’ with any of the rootstocks. ‘CG.7’ is more vigorous than ‘M.26’ whereas ‘G.11’ is comparable to ‘M.26’ whereas ‘G.11’ is comparable to ‘M.9’ as is ‘Supporter 4’. ‘G.202’ is comparable to ‘M.26 as is ‘M.116’. In general, the ‘Bramley’ yield was higher on replanting ground than on clean ground.

XII International Symposium on Integrating Canopy, Rootstock and Environmental Physiology in Orchard Systems

S. Mac an tSaoir

fire blight, rootstock equivalence, graft compatibility, Ireland

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2022.1346.96