Anatomically assisted cherry rootstock selection

Size-Controlling Cherry Rootstock Selection Based on Root Anatomical Characteristics

“…Although our previous study [18] has demonstrated that combined anatomical analysis, including fine and skeletal roots, rootstock stem, and scion stem, provides the most accurate vigor prediction, it is a demanding and invasive procedure that requires the destruction of investigated plants to obtain rootstock stem cross-sections. The pertinent methodology is not invasive, since 4 roots excavated from each side of the world shall not impair future root system growth, development, and proper functioning.…”

“…Secondary xylem characteristics, especially the vessel lumen area and number, as well as the closely related root hydraulic conductivity, are widely accepted parameters of low-vigorous rootstock selection [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16]. Water conductance capacity through the plant can be estimated by calculating the theoretical hydraulic conductivity of participating tissues, which is directly related to the overall tree growth potential [13,17,18]. Solari et al [19] found that water status affected the peach vegetative growth when grafted on different rootstocks.…”

Environmentally-Related Cherry Root Cambial Plasticity

“…Sampling methodology and subsequent root preservation, cross-section preparation, and investigation was conducted as described by Zorić et al [21] and Ljubojević et al [3,5]. Five skeletal woody roots (with secondary structure) from in situ mother plants were taken approximately 10 cm from the branching point from different sides of the root system.…”

“…Sweet cherries are cultivated in more than 40 countries worldwide, with the production increases from year to year, due to high consumer demands [2]. Intensive fruit production is inconceivable without size-controlling rootstocks characterized by high compatibility and productivity [3]. One rootstock is generally considered as desirable if it raises early bearing, highly productive compact fruit trees suitable for pedestrian orchards.…”

“…The most prominent genotypes according to previously defined selection goals were subsequently vegetatively propagated in a fogging irrigation system, wherein newly grown annual roots with secondary structures showed no ring-like formations (Figure 1a). According to further analysis, roots derived from those vegetatively propagated plants formed far smaller vessel lumen areas that gradually decreased with xylem maturation [3]. The occurrence of growth ring-like formations in secondary roots collected from in vivo mother plants ( Figure 1b), and their absence in the roots of clonally propagated plants of the same age and genotypes, required an in-depth analysis of the precipitation and temperature regime during the time of formation, in order to access the heat and drought stress impact on plant development.…”