Endogenous hormone concentrations and bud-break response to exogenous benzyl adenine in shoots of apple trees with two growth habits grown on three rootstocks

Summary

Scions from two siblings of a ‘Goldspur Delicious’ × ‘Redspur Delicious’ cross were budded to three rootstocks with different levels of vigour [M.9, M.7, and Malus domestica ‘Antanovka’ seedling] and planted in the field in 1997. The scions had two contrasting growth habits: one with narrow crotch angles, numerous short branches and an upright narrow (UN) canopy; and the other with wide crotch angles, few short branches, and a spreading round (SR) canopy. Shoot tips were collected at the time of bud-break in April 2004 and analysed for auxin (AUX), cytokinins (CK), and abscisic acid (ABA) to determine relationships between scion growth habit, size-controlling rootstock, and shoot tip hormone concentrations. Although not statistically different, the UN growth habit had numerically higher AUX, lower ABA, and equivalent CK levels as the SR growth habit. These differences resulted in statistically higher AUX:CK ratios (ACR). It is possible that the higher ACR contributed to the UN growth habit, which had more anti-gravitrophic shoot growth and appeared to have greater apical dominance than the SR growth habit. Either growth habit, grown on seedling rootstock, had nearly twice the ACR than on M.7 or M.9 rootstocks. The synthetic CK, 6-benzyl adenine (BA), was applied to 30 cm shoot explants of both growth habits in a greenhouse in March 2006. An 8.7 mM BA concentration stimulated bud-break in both growth habits, compared with controls, and bud-break was increased more in the UN than the SR growth habit. The results indicate that the ACR may be a factor regulating bud-break and the development of growth habit in apple scions, and that rootstock modified the hormone concentrations in shoot tips.     

标记基因nptⅡ在转基因苹果嫁接砧穗间无相互传导

 以携带外源新霉素磷酸转移酶基因( nptⅡ基因) 苹果品种嘎拉、未进行基因转化的普通型嘎拉和苹果砧木M26组培苗为试材, 通过试管微嫁接方法, 对其体内所含外源nptⅡ基因在砧穗中的传导性进行了研究。结果表明, 外源nptⅡ基因只在转化植株体内表达, 不通过嫁接在接穗和砧木间进行传导。     

Physiological alterations modulated by rootstock and scion combination in cashew under salinity

In this study we evaluated the influence of rootstocks and scions on physiological disturbances that are induced by salinity in cashew (Anacardium occidentale) plantlets. Two cashew genotypes, CCP 09 and BRS 226, were utilized as rootstocks and scions, resulting in four scion/rootstock combinations by reciprocal grafting. The plantlets were irrigated in absence (control) or in presence of 50 or 200 mM NaCl for 15 days under greenhouse conditions. The plantlets with BRS 226 as rootstocks demonstrated higher transpiration and greater accumulations of Na⁺ and Cl⁻, proline and free amino acids in leaves compared to plantlets that having CCP 09 as rootstocks. The K⁺ content in roots and leaves of all four combinations was not influenced by salinity or by different scion/rootstock combinations. The self-grafting of the BRS 226 genotype showed the highest stability for chlorophyll and Rubisco, exhibiting the highest tolerance to salinity. The scion genotype did not affect any of the studied physiological parameters. The studied physiological disturbances induced by salinity in cashew plantlets were more influenced by rootstock than by scion and these changes were also dependent on compatibility between scion and rootstock.     

苹果紧凑型品种和矮化砧木内源激素的变化

 以不同矮化程度的苹果品种、砧木和嫁接植株为试材, 研究了春梢旺长期茎尖和春梢停长期叶片的内源激素变化。结果表明, 与普通型品种相比, 紧凑型品种茎尖和叶片中的赤霉素(GA₁₊₃) 含量显著降低而细胞分裂素(CTKs) 含量显著升高, 紧凑型品种的CTKs/ GA₁₊₃约是普通型品种的4. 78～6. 24 倍。不同矮化程度的砧木间相比, 春梢停长期叶片中, M9 的IAA 含量比平邑甜茶降低了53. 7 %。以M26作中间砧, 显著降低了接穗叶片和基砧新根中的IAA 含量; 但以新红星作中间砧则影响较小。将M26中间砧与紧凑型品种组合, 与乔砧普通型植株相比, 春梢停长期叶片和新根中IAA 含量分别下降了46. 1 %和33. 3 %,CTKs/ GA₁₊₃是其2. 8～3. 6 倍, 其变化幅度大于单一应用矮化砧、紧凑型品种的植株。因此, 紧凑型、矮化砧具有不同的激素调节机制, GA、CTK在紧凑型品种矮化中起重要作用, 而矮砧的矮化可能与IAA 密切相关。     

Polar transport of [3H]-IAA in apical shoot segments of different apple rootstocks

Summary

The polar transport of [³H]-indole-3-acetic acid in apical shoot segments of clonal apple rootstocks (M.27, M.9, M.26, MM.111 and MM.104) was investigated in the UK using a donor-receptor system. The month in which the experiment was undertaken had a significant influence on the uptake and transport of [³H]-indole-3-acetic acid activity; uptake and transport were greater in June and July (faster extension growth period) than in August (slower extension growth period). Shoot segments from dwarfing rootstocks (M.27 and M.9) showed smaller uptake and less transport of [³H]-indole-3-acetic acid than those from invigorating rootstocks (MM.111 and MM.104). [³H]-indole-3-acetic acid was transported to the agar receptors through shoot segments from all the rootstocks in June and July; those from dwarfing rootstocks showing lower levels of transport than those from invigorating ones. However, in August, [³H]-indole-3-acetic acid activity from the agar receptors was detected only from shoot segments of invigorating rootstocks, which continued to produce extension growth slowly, when dwarfing rootstocks had already ceased shoot extension growth. These results are discussed with reference to the effects of apple rootstocks on the size of scions.     

不同砧木嫁接对海南厚皮甜瓜生长发育的影响

以京欣砧2号、壮士(对照)、甜瓜本砧、雪中甲及野郎2号作为砧木,以金香玉、长香玉及昭君一号作为接穗,研究不同砧木嫁接对厚皮甜瓜生长发育的影响。研究结果表明,以雪中甲砧木嫁接的甜瓜植株长势较强;以京欣砧2号和甜瓜本砧作为金香玉的砧木最佳,表现为抗性、产量和品质均比壮士好;甜瓜本砧和壮士可作为长香玉的砧木;京欣砧2号、甜瓜本砧、雪中甲均适宜作为昭君一号的砧木,三者作砧木嫁接后的甜瓜产量、抗性和品质高于对照。     

Selection of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi for citrus growth promotion and Phytophthora suppression

In order to reduce unnecessary amount of P-fertilizer and severity of Phytophthora root rot in citrus orchards, the experiment was set up. Thirteen indigenous arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) fungi species were isolated from rhizosphere soil of citrus orchards in Thailand and were then propagated into three host plants [sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), maize (Zea mays), and leek (Allium cepa)] by trap culture. We also tested whether indigenous AMF species (13 different species) could colonize into three cultivars of citrus scions and rootstocks (Shogun: Citrus reticulata Blanco cv. Shogun; Tangerine: C. reticulata; and C-35 citrange: Citrus sinensis × Poncirus trifoliata). With root colonization rates, the results indicated that Acaulospora tuberculata and Glomus etunicatum provided the best colonization in all citrus cultivars. We selected, therefore, those AMF species to verify their influences on citrus growth and Phytophthora root rot resistance. Three cultivars of citrus scions and rootstocks, Shogun, Tangerine and C-35 citrange, were inoculated with two effective indigenous AMF species, G. etunicatum or A. tuberculata in order to determine the influences on citrus growth. The plants were investigated to determine the mycorrhizal efficiency index (MEI), AM colonization, P content, and other parameters. Co-inoculation of AMF species (G. etunicatum or A. tuberculata) with Phytophthora nicotianae was also carried out in Shogun scion/C-35 citrange rootstocks. The results of citrus growth revealed that Shogun and Tangerine inoculated with G. etunicatum produced the highest MEI. Tangerine and C-35 citrange amended with fertilizers and G. etunicatum showed the highest P content in leaves. This indicated that G. etunicatum has an influence on citrus growth and P uptake, suggesting it to be the highly effective strain. Shogun scion/C-35 citrange rootstock combinations that were inoculated by both P. nicotianae and different AM fungi (G. etunicatum or A. tuberculata) showed root injury at low level of root rot symptom. However, the part of Shogun scions grafted on rootstocks showed severe symptom of shoot die back in treatment inoculated with P. nicotianae alone, while treatment inoculated with different AM species (G. etunicatum or A. tuberculata) and P. nicotianae rendered lower shoot die back symptoms than that of Phytophthora treatment. The low level of shoot die back symptom was shown at first, then healthy young shoot was restored. Our results indicated the facts that different host plants and different AMF species produced different outcomes of growth and pathogen resistance. The application of both AM isolates, therefore, has an enormous potential to be produced the inoculum for citrus orchards.     

Rootstock and pruning effects on first season dry weight distribution in delicious apple trees

Redchief Delicious apple trees on MM. 106 and M.9 rootstocks were left unpruned, dormant headed at planting, or summer headed 12 weeks after planting, to investigate pruning and rootstock effects on dry weight distribution between roots and shoots during the first growing season. Dormant heading stimulated new shoot dry weight and reduced new root dry weight during the first six weeks after planting. However, by 12 weeks differences in new root dry weight and new shoot dry weight were insignificant. Summer heading resulted in a significant increase in new shoot growth and decrease in new root growth. This caused the root/shoot ratio in headed trees to return to the unpruned value within six weeks after summer heading. New root growth was reduced over a longer time by dormant heading trees on MM. 106 than those on M.9. New shoot growth was increased longer in trees on M.9. Allometric constants (K) of new shoot growth relative to new root growth were significantly changed by dormant heading with both rootstocks. Summer heading had the greatest effect on K values by shifting growth heavily toward new shoots. Root/shoot ratios in all treatments for both rootstocks showed no differences 24 weeks after planting.     

Effect of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria on young apple tree growth and fruit yield under orchard conditions

The effects of rootstocks (M9 and MM 106), cultivars (Granny Smith and Stark Spur Golden) and growth promoting rhizobacteria (OSU-142, OSU-7, BA-8 and M-3) on the tree growth and yield at apple (Malus domestica Borkh) trees were studied in a clay loam soil in the eastern Anatolia region of Turkey in 2002–2004. Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) were capable of producing indole acetic acid (IAA) and cytokinin, but three of them (OSU-7, BA-8 and M-3) were also able to dissolve phosphate. Maximum shoot number of apple trees was found after inoculation with BA-8 followed by OSU-7 and M-3. All the inoculated PGPR strains contributed to the increase in fruit yield of apple when compared to control but it was strongly depended on rootstocks, cultivars and treatments. Plant growth responses were variable and dependent on bacterial strains, rootstock and cultivar and growth parameters evaluated of young apple trees. Newly planted apple trees inoculated with OSU-142, OSU-7, BA-8 and M-3 PGPR increased average shoot length by 59.2, 18.3, 7.0 and 14.3% relative to the control and fruit yield by 116.4, 88.2, 137.5 and 73.7%, respectively. Bacterial inoculation increased shoot diameter from 7.0 to 16.3% when compared to control. The production of plant growth hormones has been suggested as one of the mechanisms by which PGPRs stimulate young apple sapling growth. The growth-promoting effect appears to be direct, with possible involvement of the plant growth regulators indole-3-acetic acid and cytokinin. In view of environmental pollution due to excessive use of fertilizers and high costs of the production of fertilizers, PGPR strains tested in our study have potential to be used for the sustainable and environmentally benign horticultural production.     

Effects of tree age at planting,root manipulation and trickle irrigation on growth and cropping of apple (Malus pumila) cultivar Queen Cox on M.9 rootstock

Summary

The apple cultivar Queen Cox on M.9 rootstock cropped more precociously when planted as two year old trees than when planted as one year old trees, even though there were no significant differences in the sizes (leader height and branch length) of the trees at the time of planting. However, the two year old trees had larger root systems at planting. As the trees aged, those planted as one year olds grew more vigorously and bore higher cumulative yields than those planted as two year olds. Annual root pruning of the trees, commencing 15 months after planting, reduced extension shoot growth, crown volume and grubbing weights (final fresh weights of scions) severely. In some seasons root pruning increased the number of spur and terminal floral buds produced and also the final sets and yield efficiencies on the treated trees. Planting trees within semi-permeable fabric membranes also reduced extension shoot growth and tree size, but less severely than the root-pruning treatment. Root restriction increased the efficiency of fruit set and yields and also improved the grades of fruits produced. Trickle irrigation treatments increased shoot growth and tree fresh weight at the time of grubbing, but had inconsistent and small effects on fruit set and yields. Interactions between tree age at the time of planting and the root manipulative treatments were significant.     

不同砧木嫁接对茄子硒富集的影响

以‘丰盛骄王’茄子为接穗,以"190-1-8""RS-2""RS-5"‘亲情’"野生番茄"为砧木,通过盆栽试验,研究了不同砧木嫁接对茄子硒富集的影响,以期筛选出能够促进茄子硒富集的砧木。结果表明:5种砧木均不同程度增加了茄子根系和地上部分生物量,以"野生番茄"的增加效果最佳。不同砧木也提高了茄子光合色素(叶绿素a、叶绿素b、叶绿素总量和类胡萝卜素)含量和过氧化物酶活性,降低了过氧化氢酶活性;不同砧木对茄子超氧化物歧化酶活性和可溶性蛋白质含量的影响不同。"RS-2"和"野生番茄"增加了茄子接穗的硒含量和硒富集量,且以"野生番茄"的增加幅度最大。因此,"RS-2"和"野生番茄"作为砧木既能促进茄子的生长,还能促进茄子对土壤硒的吸收与富集,有利于富硒茄子的生产,其中"野生番茄"的效果最佳。     

Investigations into inconsistent and low bud-grafting success in Acer platanoides ‘Crimson King’

Causes of variable and inconsistent bud-grafting success in chip-budded Norway maple (Acer platanoides) were investigated using the red-leaved scion ‘Crimson King’. Large differences in bud-take were associated with the year of budding, which over a 14 year period ranged from 22 to 94%. The ‘year effect’ could not be explained by weather, or by differences in budding success found between commercial sources of red-leaved scions. Neither was incompatibility between the ‘Crimson King’ scion and individual genotypes among the seedling rootstocks implicated, although there were reasons why at first sight incompatibility was thought to be present. The size of rootstock when planted was not correlated with subsequent budding success, although large differences in the quality of rootstock growth at budding were associated with large differences in bud-take, but these were confounded with year and with the fields used for the experiments. The ‘year effect’ was best explained by the field in which budding took place. One field gave consistently poor results, associated with a readily compacting soil, pointing to the strong possibility that bud-take is determined by conditions which affect shoot and/or root growth during the budding season or specifically while the union is forming in late summer. It was shown also that the presence of the scion bud on the chip-graft contributed to union formation, and that infection of the rootstock with the soil-borne verticillium wilt disease depressed bud-take, but this did not explain the ‘field effect’.     

Eggplant relatives as sources of variation for developing new rootstocks: Effects of grafting on eggplant yield and fruit apparent quality and composition

We propose the utilization of eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) interspecific hybrids derived from crosses with closely related species as an approach for developing new improved rootstocks for eggplant. Here we investigate rootstock effects on fruit yield, apparent quality and proximate and mineral composition of S. melongena ‘Black Beauty’ (BB) scions grafted on interspecific hybrid rootstocks developed from crosses of S. melongena with Solanum incanum L. (SI × SM) and Solanum aethiopicum L. (SM × SA). The results are compared with non-grafted (BB control) and self-grafted (BB/BB) controls and with S. melongena ‘Black Beauty’ scions grafted onto Solanum torvum Sw. (STO) and Solanum macrocarpon L. (SMA) rootstocks. All treatments were grown in a soil naturally infested with root-knot nematodes (mostly Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid and White) Chitwood). SI × SM and SM × SA interspecific hybrids had high germination (≥90%) and total graft success (100%). Contrary to what occurred with all other treatments, no plants from scions grafted onto these hybrid rootstocks died during the experiment. In particular, the SI × SM hybrid rootstock conferred the highest vigour to the scion, which resulted in the highest values for fruit earliness and early and total yield. Little difference was observed among treatments for apparent fruit quality traits, except for a greater fruit calyx length and prickliness of fruit grafted onto SMA rootstocks. A similar result was obtained for fruit composition where phenolics content was higher in fruit from plants grafted onto SMA rootstocks. Grafting eggplant onto interspecific eggplant hybrids, especially on the SI × SM hybrid, has proved advantageous for eggplant production, as the high vigour and good compatibility of the rootstock with scion results in improved early and total yield without negative effects on apparent fruit quality or composition. Interspecific hybrids represent an alternative to the commonly used STO rootstock, which is a wild species with irregular germination.     

SDC系苹果矮化砧木生长、结果及抗逆性的研究

以SDC系苹果砧木为试材,连续9年观察测定了在其上嫁接的红星树早花、早果、产量、果实品质、树体矮化性及抗逆性等生物学特性.结果表明:(1)SDC系砧木嫁接树比M9、M7嫁接树提早1—2年开花结果,幼树期花量密度大,5年生树总花序数及单位树干面积花序数明显高于M9和M7.(2)果皮色素花青苷含量、果肉可溶性固形物含量和总糖量均高于M9和M7,果实外观及内在品质优良.(3)幼树矮化性状明显,树高/冠幅比值小,树冠开张.(4)叶片蒸腾量小.脱落酸(ABA)含量高,单位叶面积失水量小,抗旱性强.(5)嫁接树越冬期枝条自由水含量高,抽条率明显低于M9,越冬能力强.并对SDC系砧木的优缺点进行了讨论.     

The Effect of ‘Latent’ Virus Infections on the Yield of Maiden Trees on 20 Apomictic Apple Seedling Rootstocks

Five years’ experiments with apomictic apple seedling rootstock selections budded with apple cultivars have shown that incompatibility in Malus sieboldii, M. sargenti, M. hupehensis and their derivatives is mainly due to high sensitivity of the species rootstocks to viruses latent in commercial apple cultivars. The yields of maiden trees from rootstocks which were budded with material that was virus-free, infected with ‘latent’ viruses and infected with ‘latent’ viruses plus rubbery wood virus were 67%, 28% and 16%, respectively. There were, however, differences in the sensitivity reaction between the rootstocks tested. Fairly good compatibility with scions infected with ‘latent’ viruses was observed in the M. sieboldii root- stock selections 4542, 4556 and 4608 and in M. hupehensis.     

不同砧木对西瓜嫁接苗生长及萌蘖发生的影响

以小兰西瓜为接穗,选取6个葫芦砧木和4个南瓜砧木,插接法嫁接,研究不同砧木嫁接对西瓜嫁接苗嫁接成活率、接穗生长和砧木萌蘖发生的影响。结果表明:葫芦砧木嫁接成活率高于南瓜砧木,均达到90%以上,南瓜砧木中以东方明珠嫁接成活率较高,达到92.81%。葫芦砧木力根和南瓜砧木东方明珠对接穗生长影响较为显著,接穗株高、茎粗、叶片数、干鲜质量、叶绿素(a+b)及类胡萝卜素含量、根系活力均显著高于相应对照强根和京欣砧2号。葫芦砧木中,ZM-1和力根砧木萌蘖叶片较小,叶柄较短,南瓜砧木中,以东方明珠和京欣砧4号萌蘖生长较缓。综合评价认为:葫芦砧木力根和南瓜砧木东方明珠嫁接西瓜不仅嫁接成活率高,而且能明显促进接穗生长,降低砧木萌蘖侧枝的发生,可作为西瓜嫁接栽培中砧木选择的参考品种。     

砧木对柑桔嫁接幼树早果影响的生理生化研究

本文研究了枳和红桔两种砧木对柑桔嫁接幼树结果早晚影响的生理生化差异。1.枳砧树较红桔树至少提早二年开花,枳砧树的单叶面积、株高、新梢生长量和干径均小于红桔砧树;2.花芽生理分化期枳砧树叶片的可溶性糖、淀粉及还原糖的含量均高于红桔砧树,叶片总氮含量变化不大,但在花芽形态分化期,砧木对叶片可溶性蛋白质含量的影响较大。叶片C/N比值与花芽形成存在一定相关关系。10月上中旬各因子二种砧木树的相对含量有一明显逆转过程,3.花芽生理分化期枳砧树叶片内源玉米素和脱落酸含量高于红桔砧树,赤霉素(GA_3)低于红桔砧树,整个试验期间,Z/GA_3和ABA/GA_3比值均为枳砧树高于红桔砧树。     

砧木对葡萄树体生长和内源激素的影响

以5种砧木分别嫁接‘瑞都红玉’和‘瑞都香玉’葡萄为试验材料,以接穗自根苗为对照,比较不同砧穗组合的树体生长特性、品质特性和内源激素动态变化规律,为葡萄适宜砧穗组合的筛选提供理论基础和参考依据。结果表明（1）以SO4、5BB和110R为砧木的接穗品种生长量大于以3309M和1103P为砧木的,但是110R小脚现象严重。（2）以SO4和5BB为砧木提高了‘瑞都香玉’的果实成熟度,5种砧木均显著提高了‘瑞都红玉’的可滴定酸含量,降低了固酸比,提高了‘瑞都红玉’的口感酸甜平衡性。（3）新梢生长期和转色期是促生长类激素分泌的高峰期,以110R和SO4为砧木的组合叶片和新梢中激素含量水平较高,以5BB为砧木的组合新梢中含量较高,且其叶片和新梢的ZR/GA3在新梢生长期处于高水平。‘瑞都红玉’/SO4在新梢生长期的ABA含量最低,与其长势强相吻合。以SO4为砧木的组合ABA含量从转色期到果实成熟期不升反降,有利于新梢的二次生长。110R、SO4和5BB组合的ZR/GA3在新梢生长期和转色期高于3309M和1103P组合,ABA/ZR + IAA + GA3低于3309M和1103P组合。研究结果表明,冬葡萄和河岸葡萄的后代SO4和5BB砧木的嫁接亲和力强,其接穗在新梢生长期和转色期促生长类激素水平相对高,嫁接植株生长旺盛,果实品质优良。     

Sap flow in ‘Hass’ avocado trees on two clonal rootstocks in relation to xylem anatomy

The rates of sap flow and xylem vessel features were studied in two-year-old nongrafted and grafted avocado (Persea americana Mill.) trees. Daily sap flow rates were measured with heat and balance stem gauges in clonal Duke 7 (D7) and Toro Canyon (TC) trees and ‘Hass’ clonal scions grafted onto clonal D7 (H/D7) and TC (H/TC) rootstocks. Vessel features as size, number and total vessel area were determined histologically in the stem of the scion and rootstock and the roots of the grafted trees. Significant differences in the sap flow rate were found among the rootstocks, where D7 had a 29% higher sap flow rate than did TC (grafted and nongrafted trees). There were no differences among xylem vessel features in the stems of any of the varieties. However in the roots, D7 had wider and fewer vessels then TC do. Also, D7 had a 19% higher total vessel area than TC. These results suggest that the differences in water consumption of ‘Hass’ on different rootstocks may be associated with differences in the efficiency of the roots to absorb water across conductive tissue which may be linked to differences in the area of xylem vessels in the root.     

Phenotyping vigour control capacity of new peach rootstocks by xylem vessel analysis

In peach, xylem anatomical characteristics have been shown to be related to vigour of selected rootstocks. The goal of this research was to determine if xylem characteristics of a new set of rootstocks that exhibit a range of size-controlling potential and have a different genetic background from previously examined material would also exhibit similar differences in xylem characteristics. If so, then anatomical analysis of xylem may be a useful means of predicting the vigour control capacity of selected peach rootstock genotypes. Samples of xylem tissue were taken from roots, trunks and shoots of four new rootstocks that were derived from a genetic cross between ‘Harrow Blood’ and ‘Okinawa’ peaches and compared with tissue from ‘Nemaguard’, a vigorous control. Xylem samples were sectioned and analysed by optical microscope. The number and dimensions of vessels in recently developed xylem of each rootstock were measured and compared. The more dwarfing rootstocks had fewer large vessels and more small vessels than the more vigorous rootstocks. Weighted mean vessel diameter (Wm) and calculated hydraulic conductance (K_h) differed among rootstocks: more vigorous rootstocks had higher K_h and Wm than dwarfing rootstocks. Rootstock xylem vessel dimensions varied in relation to the vigour they imparted to a common scion cultivar (‘O’Henry’). After the ‘Nemaguard’ control, ‘HBOK 50’ was the most vigorous rootstock followed by ‘HBOK 10’, ‘HBOK 32’ and ‘HBOK 27’, respectively. Thus, as was seen in previous research with a separate set of rootstocks, the vigour-control capacity of this new series of peach rootstocks was strongly related to their xylem hydraulic characteristics and it appears likely that it would be possible to use xylem anatomical characteristics of shoots or roots of young trees to pre-select for size-controlling potential in a rootstock development program.