Grafting is a commonly used practice in horticulture, mainly employed to manage plant growth, increase fruit yield and quality, and improve plant resistance to biotic and abiotic challenges. Indeed, the use of the Gisela 6 rootstock, which is recognised for its greater dwarfing characteristics than commonly used rootstocks in China, facilitates the achievement of higher crop yields.
This can be attributed to the greater abundance of flower buds, which consequently results in a higher fruit load. Researchers at the Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences (China) analysed gene expression as a function of the rootstock adopted.
Xuwei Duan
For this study, the Tieton/Landing 2 and Tieton/Gisela 6 combinations were used by analysing 4-year-old plants. Thanks to this study, the PaMYBF gene was identified and at the same time it was noted that the expression of PaMYBF was significantly higher in the phloem tissue of the scion when grafted onto the Gisela 6 rootstock.
Preliminary results confirmed the correlation between the expression of this particular gene and the flowering process. Transcriptome analysis revealed considerable variations in the expression patterns of hormone-associated genes in the various rootstock and scion combinations.
In this study, it was also found that the expression of the PaMYBF gene can be increased by the exogenous application of phytohormones such as jasmonates. The repercussions of this increased gene expression are expected to have a favourable effect on the number of flowering buds, but targeted studies need to be continued to better understand this phenomenon.
Source: Xuwei Duan, Rootstock induced PaMYBF participating floral bud formation in sweet cherry, IX International Cherry Simposium, https://2021.cherries.org.cn/replayEn.html
Images: IX International Cherry Simposium
Melissa Venturi
University of Bologna (IT)
07 Aug 2025
Northern Michigan cherries face climate, market and labor challenges. Through tradition, innovation and diversification, growers and communities are working to preserve an agricultural and cultural heritage that shapes the identity of the region.
15 Mar 2024
In agronomic terms, Marysa® had attributes that were in some cases superior to the Sweet® varieties, in terms of rusticity and productivity, high harvest yields and fruit size. The variety spread not only in its area of origin, but also in the Verona area.
28 Jul 2026
Effective phytosanitary management of cherry wood requires prevention, accurate diagnosis and integrated strategies. Sanitary pruning, inoculum reduction, targeted treatments, biostimulation and seasonal monitoring help contain bacterial diseases and wood-decay fungi.
28 Jul 2026
In Kent, England, Agrícola San Clemente and FGA Farming are building an innovative cherry production model that combines technology, Chilean varieties, protective tunnels and seasonal workers from Chile to supply premium fruit directly to the British retail market.
