Selection and molecular characterization of rootstock types for sustainable cultivation from the plum population in the Middle Euphrates Valley

Türkiye is the homeland of many fruit species due to its different ecological conditions. The abundance of resources in our country, particularly in temperate climate fruit species, presents a significant advantage for conducting varied research in breeding and rootstock studies. Plum, one of these species is being considered a species with high adaptability that can grow in almost every region of our country, except the high plateaus of the Aegean, Marmara, Mediterranean, Black Sea and Eastern Anatolia Regions and arid parts of Southeastern Anatolia. This study was conducted on the plum population of Prunus cerasifera located in the Middle Fırat Valley. In this research, thirteen rootstock candidates, which were determined to have superior characteristics, were selected among these population through selection breeding. Apricot varieties Hacıhaliloğlu and Sakıt-6 were grafted onto these rootstock candidates and Myrobolan 29C(Control) rootstock, and varietyxrootstock compatibility was examined. In grafted combinations, some morphological and physiological characteristics and microscopic observations were made on sections taken after 160 days from grafting area, and macroscopic observations were made after 360 days, and720 days later some preliminary information about the compatibility status was obtained. In the molecular study conducted on rootstock candidates, it was determined that the polymorphism rate was 89% and the similarity level was found to between 0.68-0.90.The rootstock genotypes studied exhibited rooting rates ranging from 0%(63B23) as the lowest to 93%(63B78) as the highest. The measurements conducted on ungrafted plants to assess plant growth vigor revealed that the 63B61 genotype exhibited a stunted growth that was 35% more pronounced compared to Myrobolan 29C. During the analysis of grafted saplings, it was established that the highest sapling height was observed in Hacıhaliloğlu/Myrobolan 29C and Sakıt-6/63B61combinations, while the shortest sapling height was evident in Hacıhaliloğlu –Sakıt-6/63B14 combinations. It was calculated that the specified rootstock produced a stunted growth of up to 44% in sapling height compared to the Control. In physiological measurements, it was determined that there was an increase (according to Control) in chlorophyll content and a decrease stomatal conductance in both varieties, although it varied depending on the apple candidates.Regarding the grafting compatibility, it can be said that as a result of the evaluations made based on microscopic and macroscopic observations made 160, 360 and 720 days after grafting, no signs of incompatibility were found in all combinations of apricot varieties Hacıhaliloğlu and Sakıt-6 and candidates rootstock.The rootstock candidates, namely 63B11,63B14, 63B33, 63B61 and 63B69, derived from selective breeding, demonstrated superior performance in terms of rootstock characteristics when compared to the other genotypes.