Screening wild Eriobotrya species as rootstocks for loquat

Abstract

SummarySix wild species of Eriobotrya were evaluated as rootstocks for domesticated loquat. Twelve-month-old seedlings of Oak leaf loquat (an Oak Leaf loquat ‘Zaozhong No. 6’ hybrid) and wild Fragrant loquat (E. fragrans Champ) had higher root-to-shoot fresh weight (FW) ratios than other wild species. When the domesticated loquat, ‘Zaozhong No. 6’, was grafted onto seedlings of six different wild loquat species, differences in compatibility were observed. Graft compatibility was lower for all combinations compared to ‘Zaozhong No. 6’ grafted onto domesticated loquat seedlings. When wild Henry loquat was used as a rootstock, delayed incompatibility was observed. Differences in soluble sugar contents (SSC) between scion and rootstock were observed, and there was a significant negative correlation between graft compatibility and the difference in SSC values. The influence of the rootstock on anatomical changes at the graft union were observed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Wild rootstocks also influenced scion growth, fruit bearing, and fruit quality. Graft combinations which used wild Fragrant loquat as the rootstock had increased cold tolerance and improved scion growth. Wild Fragrant loquat therefore appears to have value as a rootstock for domesticated loquat.