Performance of new Marianna rootstocks in California for 'French' prune

Abstract

Ten new marianna rootstocks [Prunus cerasifera Ehrh. x P. munsoniana Wight and Hedr.(?)] derived from open pollination of 'Marianna 2616'(M series) were planted in 1987 and evaluated at four commercial orchard locations in California (Tehama, Butte, Sutter, and Merced counties) with 'Improved French' prime (P. domestica L.) as the scion. These rootstocks were compared to three standard rootstocks: 'Marianna 2624', myrobalan seedling (P. cerasifera Ehrh.) and 'Myrobalan 29C'. Leaf potassium (K) and nitrogen (N), tree growth, fruit production and fruit quality were measured. Selection M40 in particular had high leaf N, high leaf K (equal to 'Marianna 2624' and better than the myrobalan standards), higher yield efficiency per tree, fruit size, drying characteristics, and few root suckers when compared to the three standard rootstocks. M40 is being considered for patent and release by the Pomology Department at the University of California, Davis. Selection M58 had the highest yield efficiency of any tested rootstock. Several selections had characteristics that would make expanded planting worth considering.