Depressing Effects of Virus Infection on Adventitious Root Production in Apple Hardwood Cuttings

SummaryAdventitious rooting in dormant hardwood cuttings of MM. 106 apple rootstock was depressed by latent infection with five viruses, viz. rubbery wood, stem pitting, epinasty and decline, chlorotic leaf spot and platycarpa scaly bark viruses.Both the number of rooted cuttings and the number of roots per rooted cutting were reduced, and fewer unrooted cuttings remained alive, thus representing a further potential loss.The production of shoots suitable for use as cuttings was decreased from infected hedges, as was the ability of cuttings subsequently to become established and grow in the nursery.