The relationship of dwarfing and root anatomy in sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) rootstocks

S.T. Chong and P.K. Andrews

Abstract

Container and mist chamber experiments were conducted in a greenhouse to determine the relationship between the dwarfing potential of Mazzard (Prunus avium L.), Giessen (Gi) 148/1 (Prunus cerasus x Prunus canescens) and Gi 148/8 (Prunus cerasus x Prunus canescens), rootstocks and their roots anatomy. The vigorous Gi 148/1 consistently had the largest root xylem vessel areas followed by Mazzard and dwarfing Gi 148/8. The bark:wood ratios of Gi 148/8, Gi 148/1 and Mazzard roots were not significantly different and ranges from 0.67 to 0.77. Treatment with 100 μM 2,3,5-triiodobenzoic acid (TIBA), auxin transport inhibitor, increased xylem vessel area and wood thickness in roots of Giessen rootstocks grafted with ‘Bing’ and hence could enhance Giessen rootstocks vigour. But, treatment with 100 ppm of scopoletin, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) oxidase inhibitor, had no significant effect on root xylem vessel area, bark or wood thickness in either experiment.

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