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Genetic Variation in Red Maple Rootstocks

A large proportion of red maples produced by commercial nurseries consists of selected clones budded on unselected seedling rootstocks. Possible effects of different provenances on scion characteristics have never been tested systematically. Nurserymen know of at least one rootstock effect, a graft incompatibility that may affect five or ten percent of the ramets. These have weak graft unions subject to breakage and their leaves show autumn coloration prematurely. Perhaps this problem could be alleviated through genetic control of rootstocks, for example by using selected provenances or families Any rootstock effects on other characteristics such as growth rate, autumn coloration, or resistance to environmental stresses are still unknown, The purposes of this report are twofold: (1) to describe the initial phase of an experiment that will explore effects of genetically variable rootstocks on four red maple cultivars, and (2) to discuss potential applications of the results.


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Author(s): Henry D. Gerhold, D. B. Zeaser, Kim C. Steiner, Alden M. Townsend

Publication: Tree Improvement and Genetics - Northeastern Forest Tree Improvement Conference - 1975