Abstract
Trials conducted from 1967 in the main producing areas of South Africa confirmed M793 to be the best standard size apple rootstock, while M7 (susceptible to woolly apple aphids (w.a.a.) and suckering) and MM106 (susceptible to Phytophthora) were conditionally recommended as semi-dwarfing rootstocks. The high vigour MM109 is recommended for soils of low fertility and spur type cultivars. At this stage there is an urgent need for further improved, precocious, productive, yield efficient rootstocks. They must also be resistant to w.a.a. and Phytophthora infections, adaptable to various soil types and climates, suitable for high intensive orchards and less labour intensive. Much emphasis has been placed on trials with new generation rootstocks, especially specific selections of the Geneva® series. This article will discuss the situation over the past 10 years by showing trends in rootstock sales from nurseries. Progress with initiatives to improve the apple rootstock situation in South Africa is discussed.
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