Establishing an efficient in vitro propagation system for sweet cherry rootstocks Gisela 12 and Maxma 14 and assessment of genetic homogeneity by ISSR markers

Sweet cherries can be grafted onto a wide range of rootstocks belonging to the genus Prunus. The identification of sweet cherry rootstocks using morphological traits is almost impossible particularly during the dormant season, yet it is very important for the grower to know exactly the rootstock as this has a major influence on cultivar performance and agricultural practices. However, DNA-based molecular analysis carried out on actively growing shoot tips, leaves or dormant buds provides a good opportunity to reliably distinguish the rootstocks. Herein, we have integrated high-resolution melting (HRM) analysis, coupled with five simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers, in order to facilitate the identification of the most popular sweet cherry rootstocks in Greece. The five SSR loci used were highly informative and generated a unique melting curve profile of microsatellites for each of the six sweet cherry rootstocks tested. In particular, one marker, BPPCT002, with six HRM profiles was sufficient to discriminate all the sweet cherry rootstocks studied, highlighting its potential use for rootstock identification. Hence, this assay provided a flexible, cost-effective and closed-tube microsatellite genotyping method well suited to sweet cherry rootstock identification.

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First results of an orchard trial with new clonal sweet cherry rootstocks at Holovousy

Horticultural Science ◽

10.17221/3792-hortsci ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 31 (No. 2) ◽

pp. 47-57 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

J. Blažková ◽

I. Hlušičková

Keyword(s):

Sweet Cherry ◽

Fruit Size ◽

Negative Influence ◽

Yield Efficiency ◽

Growing Seasons ◽

First Results ◽

Graft Compatibility ◽

Cherry Rootstocks ◽

High Yields ◽

Sweet Cherry Rootstocks

Ten clonal dwarf or semi-dwarf sweet cherry rootstocks were evaluated for 5 growing seasons in a orchard that was established in the spring 1999 at Holovousy within international cherry rootstock trials that are co-ordinated in Europe by the Danish Institute of Plant and Soil Science at Aarslev, Denmark. Lapins cv. was used as a scion tester for all these rootstocks; five of them were also tested by Regina cv. Among the new rootstocks, G 195/5 was evaluated as the most promising for Lapins cv. It produced trees even smaller than P-HL-A or Tabel (Edabriz), with higher yield efficiency and good fruit size. In agreement with the results of earlier experiments, both P-HL-A and Tabel (Edabriz) proved to be quite reliable rootstocks for modern sweet cherry orchards established there. Among the semi-dwarf rootstocks, G 154/7 also seemed to be interesting because of high yields and fruit size. Weiroot 158 was found as relatively the most promising rootstock for Regina cv. On the other hand, the most disappointing results were obtained with the rootstock Weiroot 53 because of its inferior graft compatibility and its negative influence on fruit size. Some of the tested rootstocks significantly changed the time of flowering and the time of fruit ripening. Several relationships between the observed characteristics were found within this study and they are more thoroughly discussed.  

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