Effect of rootstock on apple tree nutrition

Nutrient uptake and transport depend on the root system of a tree. Various apple rootstock genotypes may interact fruit tree nutrition. In 2017, two multi-location apple rootstock trials were established at 16 sites in 12 European countries. The evaluations are performed by members of the EUFRIN (European Fruit Research Institute Network) Apple & Pear Variety & Rootstock Testing Working Group. Following rootstocks are included in the tests: G.11, G.41, G.202 and G.935 (US), EM_01, EM_02, EM_03, EM_04, EM_05 and EM_06 (UK), 62-396-B10((R)) (Russia), P 67 (Poland), NZ-A, NZ-B, NZ-C and NZ-D (New Zealand) and Cepiland-Pajam((R))2 as control. The effect of rootstocks on the mineral content of leaf and fruit was studied at the Institute of Horticulture, Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry in 2019-2020. The leaf and fruit mineral concentration of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and leaf mineral content of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn) and boron (B) were measured. Significant rootstock effect was established on leaf P, Mg, Zn, Mn, B, and fruit Ca and Mg content. Rootstocks EM_01 and G.41 were the most efficient in leaf mineral uptake, while G.935 had the lowest content of all leaf macro nutrients. Rootstocks EM_06 and P 67 were the most efficient in fruit mineral uptake, while EM_02 had the lowest content of three nutrients. Current research reveals differences among rootstocks and their capacity to absorb separate minerals and enables creation of rootstock specific nutrition management.