Efficient Rooting System for Apple “M.9” Rootstock Using Rice Seed Coat and Smocked Rice Seed Coat

Abstract EN

“M.9” rootstock is considered as one of the most useful apple (Malus x domestica Borkh.) rootstocks; it produces dwarfing trees efficiently.

As “M.9” rootstock shows a poor, brittle, and shallow roots system, we grafted “M.9” rootstocks onto “Marubakaidou” (M.

prunifolia Borkh.

var.

ringo Asami Mo 84-A).

We then propagated them by mound layering to establish a high-density root system.

It was found that covering the roots with rice seed coat (RSC), RSC + smoked rice seed coat (SRSC), and vermiculite during mound layering was effective for the initiation of rooting.

Utilizing RSC and SRSC seemed especially effective for producing “M.9” roots efficiently.