Prunus microcarpa: a potential rootstock for apricots

One of the most important developments in the history of fruit growing is the discovery and use of dwarf rootstocks. Today, dwarf rootstock studies continue in different fruit species including apricot. The main goal of this study was to identify new dwarfing rootstocks for apricots that limit apricot tree height and size, without altering scion production or fruit characteristics. In this study, ‘Hacıhaliloğlu’, ‘Hasanbey’, ‘Kabaaşı’, and ‘Roxana’ apricot cultivars grafted on Prunus microcarpa — a potential rootstock for apricot — were investigated. Phenological, morphological, yield, and quality traits of apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) cultivars grafted on Prunus microcarpa seedlings and apricot (P. armeniaca) seedlings and Pixy (Prunus institia) were examined. The study was carried out between 2011 and 2016 in the field and the laboratories of the Kahramanmaraş East Mediterranean Transitional Zone Agricultural Research Institute. Phenologically, it was observed that apricot varieties grafted on P. microcarpa rootstock showed 2–5 days shorter blooming period than control rootstocks. Furthermore, the average flowering time was completed in a shorter time in this rootstock compared to the control rootstocks. P. microcarpagave lower rootstock diameter (68.80 mm) based on the average of four cultivars, while the highest seedling diameter was obtained from P. armeniacaseedlings (109.27 mm). The apricot cultivars grafted on P. microcarpain, in general, showed a remarkable dwarf growing with an average shoot length of 83.65 cm, an average crown volume of 3.26 m3 , and a average trunk cross-section of 37.32 cm2 , respectively. In addition, the yield was found to be significantly higher in trees grafted on P. microcarpa with a value of 0.20 kgcm–2 compared to the other two control rootstocks (equally 0.16 kgcm–2). It was determined that total soluble solid content values did not differ statistically among rootstocks, and Pixy (P. institia) rootstock gave the higher fruit weight than the others (42.44 g).

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