Rootstock breeding for abiotic stress tolerance in fruit crops

Abstract

In the present era of climate change, drastically increasing or decreasing temperature, irregular or heavy rainfall, increasing level of CO2, soil degradation etc. limiting the crop production in different parts of the world. Due to their rapid and unpredictable effects, it became very difficult for agricultural scientists and farmers to respond to challenges posed by biotic and abiotic stresses. The use of rootstocks tolerant to different abiotic stresses like drought, salinity, temperature abnormality etc. may be an alternative approach to face these challenges. Fruit crops are perennial in nature and mostly propagated through vegetative means to meet the early and quality production requirements. The use of desirable scion and rootstock not only meet the requirement of early and quality production but also provides an alternative approach to face the challenges posed by biotic and abiotic stresses. Keeping in mind challenges of environmental stresses and quality fruit production in stress prone areas, the present need before researchers and growers is to fight with the era of changing climate. So, implication of rootstock breeding in fruit production technology is really instrumental for farmers.