Nematode-resistant, clonal almond rootstock breeding by crossing in Turkey

Abstract

Nematode-resistant clonal rootstock use is limited in Turkey. Throughout a 3-year-study (2012–2014), targeted rootstock candidates were obtained through hybridization between almond and plum cultivars. Some characteristics, such as strong growth ability, compatibility with other almond cultivars, nematode resistance, and rooting of the cuttings were common among the hybrid types. In the hybridization studies, one almond cultivar (Ferragnes) and 2 plum (Myrobalan and Pissardi nigra, both belonging to Prunus cerasifera) were used as female parents, and 2 plum (Myrobalan and Pissardi nigra) and 2 almond cultivars [Ferragnes and AB3 (Amygdalus orientalis Mill. Type)] were used as male parents. In total, 6 combined hybridizations were made: Myrobalan × Ferragnes, AB3 × Myrobalan, Pissardi nigra × Ferragnes, AB3 × Pissardi nigra, Ferragnes × Myrobalan, and Ferragnes × Pissardi nigra. Some hybrid characteristics, such as budding affinity, nematode-resistance, and rooting of the cuttings were considered and the results were evaluated according to the weight-rank method. After consideration of the selected characteristics, the highest scored hybrids, FS2, FS19, FS22, FS23, and FC4, were evaluated as nematode-resistant almond rootstock clone candidates.