The reasons for temperate fruit tree rootstock development are briefly outlined and the principal methods of rootstock propagation described. Although ease‐of‐propagation was once the principal criterion when selecting clonal rootstocks, other rootstock attributes, such as resistance to pests, diseases, and unfavourable climatic conditions or ability to dwarf the scion, have now become of greater priority. New and improved methods of propagation have aided this shift in priorities by enabling propagation of recalcitrant clones. Nevertheless, new methods of propagation which bring about partial rejuvenation of the rootstock also have disadvantages. Micropropagated rootstocks frequently sucker profusely and may also show increased burrknotting.

• In species such as apple, where viruses are


thought not to be transmitted through seed and
where nurseries in some parts of the world find it
difficult to maintain the health status of virus-free
clonal rootstocks, seedling rootstocks may have
clear benefits. Seedling propagation also offers the
potential for avoiding transmission of root-borne
diseases such as crown gall


The uniformity of performance of seedling
rootstocks may, however, be improved to some
extent by: (1) using seed of a single clonal variety
(e.g., 'Red Delicious' apple or 'Bartlett' pear) or
seed from a self-fertile cultivar grown in a
monoculture; (2) using seed collected from virusfree
mother orchards planted in isolation (e.g.,
Pontavium and Pontaris Prunus avium lines of Mazzard rootstocks available in France); and (3)
using seed of apomictic rootstock selections.

• Another occasional problem with stooling


concerns the high proportion of sub-standard shoots
produced by some apple rootstock clones on mature
stoolbeds. One solution to this problem, suggested
by Vasek & Howard (1984), is to harvest the layers
biennially rather than annually.


• Stool and layer beds are also subject to attack


from numerous soil-borne pests and diseases. Many
nematode species severely limit production, as do
attacks by bacterial

• Marcotting has occasionally been used as an aid to


propagating difficult-to-lay er fruit tree rootstocks

• Usually, cutting techniques have been developed to


aid the propagation of recalcitrant rootstock clones
or to circumvent disease, soil or site problems
experienced with the more conventional division
techniques.



• For successful propagation using any type of


cutting there are three principal considerations.
First, the propagule must be healthy and in the
appropriate physiological condition; this is achieved
by good stockplant management before cutting
excision. Second, the cutting may need physical or
chemical treatment to aid its rooting and, finally,
the cutting must be placed in an environment
conducive to survival, root induction, and/or root
development.


• Subsequent research indicated


that even better rooting of hardwood cuttings was
achieved if their bases were heated to higher
temperatures for shorter periods


• Wounding the bases of winter cuttings is a well


tried technique for enhancing rooting success


• Cuttings taken in the mid winter period usually root


and establish less successfully.


• Stockplant manipulation may occasionally be


used to aid rooting of hardwood cuttings. Fachinello
et al. (1988) have shown that in Brazilian conditions
girdling shoots of MM. 106 on stockplants, c. 15
weeks before their collection as cuttings, may
enhance dry weight and also subsequent rooting


• For success when propagating leafless, hardwood


cuttings of rootstocks, they should have their bases
dipped in solutions of IBA dissolved in ethanol or
acetone