Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

Accomplishments and Impacts: Objective 1. To evaluate the influence of rootstocks on temperate-zone fruit tree characteristics grown under different management systems and environmental conditions. Several multi-state coordinated trials were concluded in late 2007 or in 2008, and data from these plantings have either been published or are being prepared for publication. These include: " 1998 Sweet cherry trial that compares Bing on 15 rootstocks at six western sites and Hedelfinger on 10 rootstocks at five eastern sites. The final report for the Bing trial has been drafted and the final report for the Hedellfinger trial is in preparation. Both will be submitted for publication in 2009. " 1998 Tart cherry trial that compares Montmorency on 11 rootstocks at five sites. The final report is in preparation and will be submitted for publication in 2009. " 1999 Dwarf and Semi-dwarf Fuji/McIntosh apple rootstock trial which compares 21 apple rootstocks at 17 locations in North America. The final report is in preparation and will be submitted for publication in the J. Amer. Pom. Soc. in 2009. " 2001 Peach trial of 14 Prunus rootstocks. A paper was submitted to ISHS in 2008. The final report is near completion, and will be submitted for publication in the J. Amer. Pom. Soc. in 2009. The report will include a data table summarizing each site, making it more readily accessible to fruit growers. Bailey was the most yield-efficient rootstock across the sites, and Controller 5 was the best of the California rootstocks. " 2002 Peach trial of three peach varieties on eight rootstocks. The final report is near completion and will be submitted for publication in the J. Amer. Pom. Soc. in early 2009. " 2002 Cresthaven peach physiology trial, comparing the effect of location in North America on harvest date, fruit weight, and soluble solids content. A paper was submitted to ISHS in 2008. The final report is in preparation and will be submitted for publication in the J. Amer. Pom. Soc. in 2009. Numerous projects are still ongoing. These include: " 2002 Gala apple rootstock trial compares 20 apple rootstocks at 10 locations in North America. A 5-year report was published in the Journal of the American Pomological Society. " 2002 Cameo apple rootstock trial compares 3 rootstocks at 2 locations in the Eastern US. A five-year report abstract was published in 2008. " 2002 pear rootstock trial compares 7 rootstocks at 4 locations in the North America. A gap in leadership for this trial has postponed publication of a 5-year progress report. A report is being prepared and will be submitted for publication in 2009. " 2003 Golden Delicious apple rootstock and physiology trials compares 23 rootstocks at 14 locations in North America. A progress report is in preparation and will be submitted for publication in 2009. " 2004 pear rootstock trial compares 3 rootstocks at 3 locations in North America. A 5-year report will be submitted for publication in 2009. " 2005 pear rootstock trial compares 7 rootstocks with Bartlett and 3 rootstocks with Bosc. " 2006 Gala apple replant trial compares 12 rootstocks at 10 North America locations in fumigated and unfumigated soil at each site. " 2006 cherry physiology trial compares the yield and fruit size of a dwarfing cherry rootstock at 4 locations in North America. " Objective 2. To develop and improve rootstocks for temperate-zone fruit trees with breeding and genetic engineering, to improve propagation techniques for rootstocks, and to acquire new rootstocks from worldwide sources. " Development of new rootstocks: New York State, in cooperation with the USDA continues to develop and test new rootstocks. Two tests with Honeycrisp and Fuji are helping to identify new elite clones. It is expected that four new semi-dwarfing rootstocks will be released in 2009. " Propagation of apple rootstocks: New York State, in cooperation with the USDA continues to work on techniques to improve propagation of apple rootstocks  primarily difficult-to-root Geneva rootstocks such as G41. These include planting density, plant orientation, tissue culture, early-season shading, and growth regulators. Results of these experiments will be summarized in 2009. Objective 3. To study the genetics and developmental physiology of rootstock/scion interactions in temperate-zone fruit trees. " In NY, a joint trial is being done on the mapping of root architecture traits on the genome. A population of unscreened seedlings is being evaluated for root morphological characters which will allow mapping of root architecture characteristics. " An ongoing breeding program in Arkansas is testing 12 new apple and 44 new peach rootstock selections. A breeding program in Michigan has developed a new series of tart cherry rootstocks which will be evaluated in the next NC-140 cherry rootstock trial. Breeding programs in CA and GA are developing new peach rootstocks. Objective 4. To better understand the response to and impacts of biotic and abiotic stresses on scion/rootstock combinations in temperate-zone fruit trees. " Apple rootstock tolerance to soil pH is being evaluated in NY. A field trial in pots of Golden Delicious on 30 Geneva rootstocks is being conducted for tolerance to low and high soil pH. This trial began in spring, 2008. Tree growth and root growth will be evaluated in 2010. " Apple rootstock tolerance to replant disease is being evaluated in NY. A field trial in pots of Golden Delicious on 30 Geneva rootstocks is being conducted for tolerance to replant disease in both sandy and clay soils. This trial began in spring, 2008. Tree growth and root growth will be evaluated in 2009. " Cold hardiness testing of new apple rootstocks continues in ME. G.5935 had greater root tissue cold hardiness than M.26 EMLA, based on shoot growth following exposure to freezing temperatures to a low of -16°C. Changes in rootstock selection can increase yield and tree survival leading to greater profitability. Knowledge of correct tree spacing can prevent economic losses. Impacts will be measured as changes in the industry and will be documented through grower surveys.

Refereed Journal Articles Autio, W., T. Robinson, W. Cowgill, C. Hampson, M. Kushad, G. Lang, J. Masabni, D. Miller, R. Parra Quezada, and C. Rom. 2009. Performance of Gala apple trees on supporter 4 and different strains of B.9, M.9, and M.26 rootstocks as part of the 2002 NC-140 apple rootstock trial. Acta Hort. 11 pp. (in press). Autio, W., T. Robinson, J. Cline, R. Crassweller, C. Embree, E. Hoover, G. Lang, J. Masabni, M. Parker, G. Reighard and M. Warmund. 2009. Performance of several semidwarfing rootstocks with Fuji and McIntosh as scion cultivars in the 1999 NC-140 semidwarf apple rootstock trials. Acta Hort. 11 pp. (in press). Autio, W., T. Robinson, J. Cline, R. Crassweller, C. Embree, E. Hoover, G. Lang, J. Masabni, M. Parker, G. Reighard, and M. Warmund. 2009. Performance of several dwarfing rootstocks with Fuji and McIntosh as scion cultivars in the 1999 NC-140 dwarf apple rootstock trials. Acta Hort. 11 pp. (in press). Autio, W., T. Robinson, W. Cowgill, C. Hampson, M. Kushad, J. Masabni, R. Parra Quezada, R. Perry and C. Rom. 2008. Performance of Gala apple trees on Supporter 4, P.14, and different strains of B.9, M.9 and M.26 rootstocks: a five-year report on the 2002 NC-140 apple rootstock trial. J. Amer. Pomol. Soc. 62(3):119-128. Ayala, M. and G.A. Lang. 2008. 13C-Photoassimilate partitioning in sweet cherry on dwarfing rootstocks during fruit development. Acta Hort. 795:625-632. Hampson, C. R. and P. L. Sholberg. 2008. Estimating combining ability for fire blight resistance in apple progenies. Acta Hort. 793:337-343. Kappel, F. and G. Lang. 2008. Performance of the NC-140 regional sweet cherry rootstock trial planted in 1998 in North America. Acta Hort. 795:317-320. Kushad, M. 2008. Performance of Buckeye Gala on nine rootstocks in the 2002 NC.140 trial. Trans. IL Hort. Soc. 69-71. Kushad, M. 2008. Performance of Michel Gala on twelve rootstocks in a replant site. Trans. IL Hort. Soc. 72-73. Lang, G.A. 2009. High tunnel tree fruit production  the final frontier? HortTech 19(1):50-55. Lang, G.A. 2008. Sweet cherry orchard management: from shifting paradigms to computer modeling. Acta Hort 795:597-604. Marini, R.P., R. Moran, C. Hampson, M. Kushad, R.L. Perry and T.L. Robinson. 2008. Effect of dwarf apple rootstocks on average Gala fruit weight at six locations over three seasons. J. Amer. Pomol. Soc. 62(3):129-136. Masabni, J., R. Andersen, A. Azarenko, G. Brown, J. Freer, R. Hayden, P. Hirst, B. McCluskey, R. Perry, R. Robinson and D. Wolfe. 2007. Performance of plum rootstocks with 'Stanley', 'Valor' and 'Veeblue' as the scion in the 1990 NC-140 multi-site plum trial. J. Amer. Pomol. Soc. 61(4):196-207. Masabni, J., R. Andersen, A. Azarenko, G. Brown, J. Freer, G. Reighard, P. Hirst, D. Hayden, W. Lay, B. McCluskey, T. Robinson, G. Tehrani, D. Wolfe. 2007. Performance of plum rootstocks with Stanley, Valor, Veeblue, and Santa Rosa scions in the 1991 NC-140 multi-state plum trial. J.Amer. Pom. Soc. (Needs revision). Reighard, G.L., D. R. Ouellette, and K. H. Brock. 2008. Performance of new Prunus rootstocks for peach in South Carolina. Acta Hort. 772:237-240. Non-Refereed Journal Articles Autio, W., T.L. Robinson, B. Black, T. Bradshaw, J.A. Cline, R.M. Crassweller, C.G. Embree, E.E. Hoover, K. Kosola, J. Masabni, M.L. Parker, R.L. Perry, G.L. Reighard, J.R. Schupp, and M. Warmund. 2008. 1999 NC-140 Fuji and McIntosh dwarf apple rootstock trials: an update after eight growing seasons. Compact Fruit Tree 41(1): 23-25. Autio, W., T.L. Robinson, B. Black, T. Bradshaw, J.A. Cline, R.M. Crassweller, C.G. Embree, E.E. Hoover, K. Kosola, J. Masabni, M.L. Parker, R.L. Perry, G.L. Reighard, J.R. Schupp, and Warmund, M. 2008. 1999 NC-140 Fuji and McIntosh semidwarf apple rootstock trials: an update after eight growing seasons. Compact Fruit Tree 41(1): 26-28. Autio, W., J. Krupa, and J. Clements. 2007. Comparison of strains of B.9, M.9, and M.26 to new Polish and Pillnitz dwarfing apple rootstocks: six-year summary of the Massachusetts planting of the 2002 NC-140 apple rootstock trial. Fruit Notes 72(2):16-17. Autio, W., J. Krupa, and J. Clements. 2007. Crop load and rootstock interact to affect Golden Delicious tree growth, fruit size, and ripening: 2003 NC-140 apple rootstock physiological trial. Fruit Notes 72(1):14-17. Autio, W., T. Robinson, W. Cowgill, C. Hampson, M. Kushad, J. Masabni, D. Miller, R. Quezada, R. Perry, and C. Rom. 2007. Performance of Gala apple trees on strains of B.9, M.9, and M.26 and new Cornell-Geneva, Morioka, and Pillnitz rootstocks: early results from the 2002 NC-140 apple rootstock trial. Compact Fruit Tree 40. (In press). Autio, W., J. Krupa, and J. Clements. 2007. Performance of McIntosh apple trees on one Pillnitz and three Geneva semidwarfing rootstocks: nine-year summary of the 1999 NC-140 semidwarf apple rootstock trial. Fruit Notes 72(2):14-15. Autio, W., J. Krupa, and J. Clements. 2007. Performance of McIntosh apple trees on several Geneva and Pillnitz dwarfing rootstocks: nine-year summary of the 1999 NC-140 dwarf apple rootstock trial. Fruit Notes 72(2):10-13. Reighard, G.L. 2008. New and emerging rootstocks. Ernie Christ Memorial Lecture. Penn. Fruit News. Vol. 87(5):19-23. Published Abstracts Black, B.L., D. Drost, T. Lindstrom and G.L. Reighard. 2008. Sampling to compare relative root distribution in fruit trees. 9th Intl. Symp. on Integrating Canopy, Rootstock and Env. Physiol. in Orchard Syst. August 4-8, 2008. Geneva, NY, USA. (Abstr.) Clements, J.M., W.P. Cowgill, W. R. Autio, and D. Ward. 2008. Five-year performance of three dwarf apple rootstocks with CameoTM apple. HortScience. 43(4): 1194. (Abstr.) Cowgill, W.P., Jr., N. Polanin, P. Nitzsche, R. Magron, J. Gyurian, E. Dager. 2008. Rutgers NJAES Snyder Research and Extension Farm  master gardener involvement in research, extension and community outreach. HortScience. 43(4): 1174. (Abstr.) Hampson, C.R. and P.L. Sholberg. 2008. Tolerance of four Vineland apple rootstocks to Phytophthora inoculation and flooding. HortScience 43(4):1271. (Abstr. of poster pres. at ASHS '08, 21-24 July 2008, Orlando, Florida, USA). Miller, D.D., J. Racskó. 2008. Rootstock effect on fruit drop patterns and quality of Galaxy and Golden Reinders apples. 9th International Symposium on Integrating Canopy, Rootstock and Environmental Physiology in Orchard Systems. Geneva, NY, USA. August 4-8 2008. (Abstr. 158.) Racskó, J., D.D. Miller. 2008. Effect of different growth inducing rootstocks on alternate bearing of Royal Gala and Vista Bella apples. 9th International Symposium on Integrating Canopy, Rootstock and Environmental Physiology in Orchard Systems. Geneva, NY, USA. August 4-8 2008. (Abstr. 130.) Books or Book Chapters Reighard, G.L. and F. Loreti. 2008. Rootstock Development. In: Layne, D.R. and D. Bassi (Eds.) The Peach: Botany, Production and Uses. CAB Intl, Wallingford, U.K., pp. 193-220. Song, G.-Q., G.A. Lang, S.V. Dolgov, and K.C. Sink. 2008. Cherries. pp. 161-188 in: Kole, C. and T.C. Hall (eds.), Compendium of Transgenic Crop Plants: Transgenic Temperate Fruits and Nuts. Volume 4. Blackwell Publishing, Oxford, UK. Other Publications and Presentations Cowgill, W.P., W. R. Autio, J.M. Clements. 2008. Using naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) to reduce shoot growth when a heading cut is used to lower tree height in super-spindle apple trees. Rutgers Annu. Conf. Domoto, P. 2008. 2003 NC-140 dwarf apple rootstock trial performance in 2007. Ann. Prog. Rept.  2007 Hort. Res. Sta., ISRF07-36:28-29. Hu, Q., Z. Li, G. Reighard, and H. Luo. 2008. Genetic engineering of drought and salt tolerance in peach tree. 4th International Rosaceae Genomics Conference. Pucon, Chile. March 16-19, 2008. Lang, G., J. Freer, H. Larsen, R. Pokharel, T. Robinson, and T. Valentino. 2008. Differences in mineral nutrient contents of dormant cherry spurs as affected by rootstock, scion, and orchard site. Poster presented at the 9th Intl Symp. on Integrating Canopy, Rootstock and Env. Physiol. in Orchard Syst. August 4-8, 2008 in Geneva, NY. Liu, X., G.L. Reighard, G. A. Swire-Clark, W. C. Bridges, and W. V. Baird. 2008. Mapping the nuclear genome region associated with the Peach Tree Short Life Syndrome using microsatellite/SSR markers. 4th International Rosaceae Genomics Conference. Pucon, Chile. March 16-19, 2008. Masabni, J.G., and D.E. Wolfe. 2007. Rootstock and interstem effects on pome fruit trees. 2007 Fruit and Veg. Crops Res. Rpt. Univ. of Kentucky College of Agr., Agr. Exp. St. Publ. PR-555:50-52. Masabni, J.G., and D.E. Wolfe. 2008. Rootstock and interstem effects on pome fruit trees. 2008 Fruit and Veg. Crops Res. Rpt. Univ. of Kentucky College of Agr., Agr. Exp. St. Publ. (In press). Moran, R.E., D.Z. Zhang, and Y. Sun. 2008. Cold temperature tolerance of apple roots. The 9th International Symposium on Integrating Canopy, Rootstock and Environmental Physiology in Orchard Systems, Geneva, NY. Reighard, G.L., T. Beckman, R. Belding, B. Black, J. Cline, W. Cowgill, R. Godin, R. S. Johnson, M. Kaps, H. Larsen, T. Lindstrom, D. Ouellette, R. Pokharel, L. Stein, K. Taylor, C. Walsh, and M. Whiting. Performance of Prunus rootstocks in the 2001 NC-140 peach trial. ISHS Symposium, Geneva, NY. August 4-8, 2008. Reighard, G.L., D. R. Ouellette, and K. H. Brock. 2008. Performance of new peach rootstocks in South Carolina. SR-ASHS. Dallas, TX. February 4, 2008. Reighard, G.L. 2008. New and emerging rootstocks. Ernie Christ Memorial Lecture. Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention. Hershey, PA. January 29-31, 2008. Ward, D., G. Loki, W.P. Cowgill Jr., J.L. Frecon, G.C. Hamilton, J.R. Heckman, L.S. Katz, N. Lalancette, B.A. Majek, D. Polk, P.W. Shearer, W.H. Tietjen. 2008. "New Jersey commercial tree fruit production guide." Rutgers Coop. Ext. Bul.E002. 232pp.