Rootstocks

In apricots, such factors as climatic and soil conditions, diseases and pests, tree size, yield, fruit quality and graft incompatibility must be taken into consideration in selecting rootstocks. We may list the basic apricot rootstocks and their characteristics as follows.

Wild Apricot

In producing apricot seedling rootstock, stones of wild apricot and cultured apricot varieties are used. Besides being productive and having high fruit quality and being compatible with culture varieties, wild apricot rootstocks give satisfactory results in terms of their resistance to nematodes, calcareous and even partly saline soils and drought. Negative aspect of the apricot varieties grafted on wild apricot rootstocks is that they bear fruits a couple of years later, that trees are big and that unsuccessful results are obtained in heavy soils with high groundwater.

Peach

While peach rootstocks are widely used in apricot growing in South and North Americas, it is not so widespread in Europe. In dry conditions, apricot varieties grafted on peach grow better as compared to other rootstocks. Peach is not long-lasting in humid soils and maintains its growth in a normal manner in light soils with good permeability. As in the case of almond, delayed graft incompatibility is frequently observed in apricot trees grafted on peach. Further, peaches are sensitive to nematodes.

ROOTPAC – R

It is a new generation rootstock compatible with peaches, nectarines, apricots and almonds. It forms large fruits. It provides moderate branching. It adapts well to heavy soils and to asphyxia conditions. It is resistant to root tumorous nematodes. It provides early ripening between 2 and 5 days as compared to other rootstocks. It is a rootstock with more positive aspects in production.

Almond

Almond is used as a rootstock for apricot in calcareous and stony soils. An almond rootstock gives better results in dry conditions where other rootstocks fail to grow well as it is tap-rooted. Delayed graft incompatibility between apricot and almond is its greatest disadvantage.

Plum Rootstocks

Plum rootstocks are recommended for apricot in much water-retaining clayey soils with high groundwater. Myrobalan seedling obtained from a seed is a rootstock currently used although it has some disadvantages. It adapts to any and all types of soils including clayey soils and s resistant to lime and drought. Of the selections of Myrobalan, “Myrobalan 29” is the most used type due to its productivity and the robustness of its tree.