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COMMON
APPLE ROOTSTOCKS
Listed in approximate order of dwarfing / size
control--- results can vary with your site and the vigor of grafted scion.
M-9-337 (NAKB 9)[30-35%]--- This is one of the most commonly
propagated and available Malling 9 clones from Europe and the standard to which
most Malling 9 type rootstocks are compared to.
True dwarfing rootstock, 30-35% of standard. Early cropping and
precocious. Requires support--- staking or trellising. Tends to produce large fruit. Tolerant of heavy
soils. Should only be used in light soils if adequate moisture or
irrigation is provided, as it can tend to put all its energy into producing the
crop and little into saving itself under drought conditions. Found to be
susceptible to fire blight damage. Under a severe
infestation, blight can travel to the root in the fall, resulting in tree
decline and ultimate death next year or thereafter. This is a great
rootstock for high density planting in general, especially the highest
densities. Good
availability of most varieties on M9-337.
M-9 Nic 29™ (USPP 10714- RN29) [35-40%]---
A selection of Malling 9 from Belgium suggested for cultivars with less vigor
such as Empire or Honeycrisp. Slightly more vigor than M-9-337 due to its
more expansive and less brittle root system. Still requires support, but
tree survival is increased due to its more vibrant root system. Somewhat
limited in availability at this time.
M-9 Pajam #2 (USPP 7715-Cepiland) [35-40%] A
French selection of Malling 9 reported to be slightly more vigorous and
productive. May have better compatibility with more grafted
varieties. Some growing trials indicate better fruit coloring and size and
earlier maturity also. As hardy as other strains of M9. Somewhat
limited in availability at this time.
Bud 9 (Budagovsky 9) [35-40%]--- This is a very hardy apple rootstock that is
gaining in popularity. Produces a full dwarf tree (approx 35-40%% of
standard). Precocious. Requires support--- staking or
trellising. Reported to be resistant to collar rot, powdery mildew and
apple scab. Very resistant to winter frost or damage. Originally
reported to be susceptible to fire blight, but experiences in 2000 in Michigan
have indicated that it seems to be quite tolerant and much less susceptible than most
other Malling 9. clones. Does well in most soils, but irrigation is
recommended in light soils. Very
good availability of most varieties on Bud 9.
EMLA 9 [35-40%]--- A slightly more vigorous clone of Malling 9 (35-40% of
standard). Otherwise, similar to other Malling 9 clones in most
characteristics. Not often used anymore as it has been replaced for the
most part by other M9 strains or Bud 9. Little
to no availability.
Geneva 16™
[35-45%] --- A newer introduction from
Cornell University that shows promise. Reported to be highly fire blight resistant.
Produces a tree size between M 9 and M 26. Tolerant to collar rot and
immune to scab. Susceptible to powdery mildew and woolly apple
aphid. Reported to be well anchored and sucker free, but support is still recommended because it is precocious and productive.
G16 should only
be budded or grafted to certified, virus-free scion wood due to its virus hypersensitivity!
Buds or grafts of virus infected wood will not
"take" or the trees will decline rapidly. We do not recommend it for home or farm
self-propagation unless the grower is certain of the virus-free nature of his
budwood. Gaining more popularity, but still very limited
availability. Limited
to the most popular varieties at this time and recommended for testing at this
time. Being dropped by many nurseries because of virus sensitivity and
potentially better roots.
Geneva™ 11 [35-45%] --- One of the latest
introductions from the Cornell University program for fire blight resistant
rootstocks. G 11 is now becoming available and is recommended at this time
for testing in comparison to the more vigorous "9" clones and EMLA
26. It is reported to range in size between the two. It is reported
to be productive, with higher yield efficiencies than most commercial roots,
including M9 clones. It suckers only slightly and is only moderately
susceptible to wooly apple aphid. Fire blight resistance is
excellent. Limted
to the most popular varieties at this time. Recommended for trial only and
in comparison to another similar size root in your orchard.
VF EMLA 26 [40-50%]--- This is an excellent rootstock that produces a dwarf tree
(approx. 40-50% of standard). Tends to produce lots of large fruit, early on,
and requires less support than Malling 9. If trained to produce framework
in the first few years before cropping, it can often support itself. However, one would
need to sacrifice a year or two of early production for framework growth.
Has good anchorage, but bud unions may tend to be slightly brittle. Most
bud unions exhibit a highly visible overgrowth of the rootstock, which is a
normal characteristic of this rootstock. Likes lighter soils, but should
be irrigated. Refrain from planting in heavier soils, unless they are very
well drained. Not resistant to collar rot. Highly susceptible to
fire blight from sucker infestation as well as from downward movement of blight
through the trunk from the scion. Few suckers. Ready
availability on almost all varieties.
M-9/ EMLA 111 Interstem [40-50%]--- A common
interstem combinations used by growers wishing semi-dwarf trees, but limited by
their site. The EMLA 111 is very adaptable to wetter, poorly drained
sites, while the M-9 helps provide dwarfing and productivity. Very
limited in availability--- additional costs involved.
Geneva 30™
[45-55%] --- This new Geneva rootstock is notable for its excellent resistant to
fire blight and crown rot. Very precocious with fair anchorage.
Should have support because of its early cropping characteristics. Approx.
50% of a standard tree. This rootstock could be an excellent replacement
for M 7 as it is in the same size category and is much more precocious.
Not widely available in the commercial fruit tree nursery trade because of
several nursery production problems, but would be one to work with in a grower's own
nursery if the need is for fire blight resistance in a semi-dwarf orchard.
Due to its "willowy" growth habit, rootstock producers have trouble
grading high percentages of saleable, first grade rootstocks. When lined
out in the nursery, higher than normal liner losses can be expected--- reports
up to 30%. Makes a nice tree in the nursery after it has been budded,
though. Due to its nursery production characteristics G. 30 is expected to
be replaced in the future with a more "nursery friendly" rootstock
from Geneva. Not
readily available, limited to highly blight susceptible varieties typically.
VF EMLA 7 [50-60%] --- This virus-free clone of Malling 7 has proven itself to be one
of the most popular rootstocks in the commercial industry, mostly due to its
approx. 50-60% of standard size. It tolerates a wide range of soils that are
well drained, but does best with adequate moisture thru the summer.
Moderately resistant to collar rot. Somewhat susceptible to fire blight, especially
on younger trees if the blight enters the root. When tree is older and
less vigorous, blight is much less of a worry. Excellent winter
hardiness. Only moderately well anchored. Older trees tend to start
leaning and tipping unless supported. Fruit size is adequate, but not as
large as M 9 or 26. This is an excellent beginners rootstock because of
its versatility. It was once a very popular rootstock in Michigan, but
many growers are looking for a replacement in the same size range because of its
annoying suckering and leaning habits. Very
popular and almost all varieties are available on EMLA 7.
EMLA 106 [60-70%]--- This virus-free clone of Malling 106 is
again gaining favor in
Michigan in areas with lighter, sandier, well drained soils. Approx.
60-70%
of standard. Well anchored and deep rooted. Does not sucker.
Supports itself well. Susceptible to collar rot, especially in poorly
drained areas or soils. Susceptible to fire blight. Resistant to
wooly apple aphid. Gaining favor
over Malling 7 in Michigan by growers wanting semi-dwarf, free-standing orchards
in spite of its slightly larger size or who do not want to make the higher
investment into higher density plantings. Somewhat
limited in availability of varieties budded to EMLA 106.
EMLA 111 [75-85%] --- This virus-free clone of Malling 111 produces a tree approx.
75-85% of standard depending on soil conditions. Many consider it a
"standard" size tree. Well anchored and self
supporting. Under wetter soil conditions, which it tolerates very well, it
is somewhat shallow rooted, and will make a larger tree. Under sandier
soil conditions, it is less vigorous, but grows well. This is a good
rootstock for growers wanting larger semi-dwarf orchards or for sites with
replant problems which are limiting tree vigor. Not highly used by a lot
of commercial orchardists because of its almost standard size tree. Good
availability of many varieties on EMLA 111, especially low vigor varieties.
Bud 118 (Budagovsky 118) [80-85%]--- Similar in
size to EMLA 106 and 111. Very winter hardy and adaptable to a wide range of
soils. Resistant to collar rot. Unknown susceptibility to fire
blight. Reported to be as precocious as EMLA 106. Becoming
widely available.
Domestic Seedling [Standard 100%]--- Hardy used
anymore in the commercial orchard except for the extreme low vigor varieties
like spur red delicious. The only rootstock which was available to
Great Grand Dad. He didn't seem to mind waiting four to eight years to
pick his first fruit and then climbing 20 to 40 foot tall trees and picking
apples! Widely adaptable to all soil types. Produces great fire wood
in about 50 years! Almost
no availability.
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