Yanmin Zhou^1,2, Faisal Hayat^1,2, Jiaojiao Yao^1,2, Xue Tian^1,2, Yi Wang^1,2, Xinzhong Zhang^1,2, Wei Li^1,2, Ting Wu^1,2, Zhenhai Han^1,2, Xuefeng Xu^1,2 and Changpeng Qiu^1,2
1 College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
² Key Laboratory of Stress Physiology and Molecular Biology for Fruit Trees in Beijing Municipality, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China

SUMMARY To understand how interstocks reduce vigour and positively influence yield efficiency, we investigated ‘Red Fuji’ apple (Malus domestica) scions that were grafted onto five different interstocks. Morphological and physiological parameters, such as growth vigour, gas exchange, leaf area index, soil-plant analysis developmentvalue, 100 leaf weight, dry biomass, yield efficiency, and fruit quality, were examined during their eighth growing season in 2018. Compared to semi-dwarf apple trees, dwarf apple trees had lower growth vigour, photosynthetic capacity, root-shoot ratio, and yield per tree, but had a greater short/medium shoot ratio, higher water use efficiency, yield efficiency, and better fruit quality, especially scions grafted onto the interstock Mark. The downregulated photosynthetic capacity induced by dwarfing interstocks could be primarily ascribed to a reduced SPADvalue (chlorophyll content or leaf nitrogen). Throughout the experiment, a strong positive linear correlation was observed between the photosynthetic rate and total dry biomass. The distribution of dry biomass in the aboveground and belowground organs further indicates that the differing growth vigour and biomass among the five interstocks were induced by the variation of the accumulation of photoassimilates and translocation. This may have led to greater carbohydrate availability in scions. Keywords interstock, gas exchange, root-shoot ratio, yield, fruit quality

Significance of this study What is already known on this subject? The apple dwarfing phenotype is observed with the application of interstock, yet there is limited influence on the root system, which potentially determines their abiotic stress resistance. What are the new findings? We find that the application of interstocks with greater dwarfing effect causes a decrease in photosynthesis and root-shoot ratio but yield better fruit quality in eight-year-old ‘Red Fuji’. The greater ratio of short and medium shoots compared to long shoots is obtained mainly by the reduced long shoot number. What is the expected impact on horticulture? The results provide references for the underlying apple tree vegetative and reproductive responses to inter-stocks of differential dwarfing ability by examining morphological and photosynthetic parameters; the findings will also facilitate the utilization of suitable interstocks for future dense apple cultivation systems.

E-mail: xuefengx@cau.edu.cn  changpengqiu@hotmail.com  

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Received: 9 July 2019 | Accepted: 21 November 2019 | Published: 3 May 2021 | Available online: 3 May 2021