Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Ten years field trial observations of ri-TDNA cherry Colt rootstocks and their effect on grafted sweet cherry cv Lapins

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture (PCTOC) Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Ten year field trials of ri 1855 T-DNA cherry Colt plants have been examined for their vegetative and reproductive behaviours and for their effect on grafted “Lapins”. These plants have been regenerated in vitro from roots produced after the infection with Agrobacterium rhizogenes wild type. The clones, from different transfection events (A, B and E) showed different morphologies since their first months in pots. This allowed an initial selection for the suitable dwarf rootstocks to fit farmers’ needs. The clones with the most reduced size, clones A and E, showed the typical “hairy root” phenotype more distinctly than clone B. in vitro All the clones’ explant rooting resulted very high even in auxin-free medium, while in vivo, both semi-hardwood cuttings and layering suckers, resulted very low. Neither exogenous treatments with cytokinins, in an attempt to re-establish the hormonal unbalance caused by the bacterial genes, nor putrescine, H2O2 and girdling were effective in promoting satisfactory rooting. The ri-TDNA Colt clones, when used as rootstocks, reduced the bi-member plant size by different extents, according to their vigour and did not affect fruit quality. Clones A and E drastically reduced the plant size with a slight reduction of flower density and an extension of vegetative growth in Autumn. Clone B on the other hand, resulted in a promising dwarfing rootstock for sweet cherry since it did not induce any evident negative effect on scion. This work encourages the selection of suitable dwarfing rootstocks among plants originated from several different modified roots, in other species as well. In particular, the work addresses the issue of whether these plants should or should not be subject to the same GMO law.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Autio WR, Greene DW, Lord WJ (1996a) Performance of ‘McIntosh’ apple trees on seven rootstocks and a comparison of methods of productivity assessment. HortScience 31(7):1160–1163

    Google Scholar 

  • Autio WR, Hayden RA, Micke WC, Brown GR (1996b) Rootstock affects ripening, colour, and shape of ‘Starkspur supreme delicious’ apples in the 1984 NC-140 cooperative planting. Fruit Var J 50(1):45–53

    Google Scholar 

  • Bulley SM, Wilson FM, Hedden P, Phillips AL, Croker SJ, James DJ (2005) Modification of gibberellin biosynthesis in the grafted apple scion allows control of tree height independent of the rootstock. Plant Biotechnol J 3(2):215–223

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bullion A (2011) Is anti-science sentiment stifling European GM crop research? Agra-Europe http://www.brusselsblogagra-netcom/2011/is-anti-science-sentiment-stifling-european-gm-crop-research

  • Dai W, Cheng Z, Sargent WA (2004) Expression of the rolB gene enhances adventitious root formation in hardwood cuttings of aspen. In Vitro Cell Dev Biol-Plant 40:366–370

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Daugaard H, Callesen O (2002) The effect of rootstock on yield and quality of ‘mutsu’ apples. J Hortic Sci Biotechnol 77:248–251

    Google Scholar 

  • Dewanto V, Wu X, Liu RH (2002) Processed sweet corn has higher antioxidant activity. J Agric Food Chem 50:4959–4964

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Distefano G, Cirilli M, Las Casas G, La Malfa S, Continella A, Rugini E, Thomas B, Long G, Gentile A, Muleo R (2013) Ectopic expression of arabidopsis phytochrome B in troyer citrange affects photosynthesis and plant morphology. Sci Hortic 159:1–7

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fallahi E, Kilby M (1997) Rootstock and pruning influence on yield and fruit quality of ‘Lisbon’ lemon. Fruit Var J 51:242–246

    Google Scholar 

  • Gentile A, Deng ZN, La Malfa S, Domina F, Germanà C, Tribulato E (2004) Morphological and physiological effects of rolABC genes into Citrus genome. Acta Hortic 632:235–242

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gómez-Galera S, Twyman RM, Sparrow PAC, Van Droogenbroeck B, Custers R, Capell T, Christou P (2012) Field trials and tribulations-making sense of the regulations for experimental field trials of transgenic crops in Europe. Plant Biotechnol J 10:511–523

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gutiérrez-Pesce P, Rugini E (2008) Kiwifruit. In: Kole C, Hall TC (eds) Compendium of transgenic crop plants: transgenic tropical and subtropical fruits and nuts. Blackwell Publishing, Oxford, pp 185–212

    Google Scholar 

  • Gutièrrez-Pesce P, Taylor K, Muleo R, Rugini E (1998) Somatic embryogenesis and shoot regeneration from transgenic roots of the cherry rootstock colt (Prunus avium × P pseudocerasus) mediated by pRi 1855 T-DNA of Agrobacterium rhizogenes. Plant Cell Rep 17:574–580

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hajagos A, Végvári G (2013) Investigation of tissue structure and xylem anatomy of eight rootstocks of sweet cherry (Prunus avium L). Trees 27:53–60

    Google Scholar 

  • Harfouche A, Meilan R, Altmane A (2011) Tree genetic engineering and applications to sustainable forestry and biomass production. Trends Biotechnol 29:9–17

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hirst PM, Feree DC (1996) Rootstock effects on the bud development and floral formation of “starkspure supreme delicious” apple. Fruit Var J 50(1):25–34

    Google Scholar 

  • James C (2008) Global status of commercialized biotech/GM crop. International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications, Ithaca

    Google Scholar 

  • La Malfa S, Distefano G, Domina F, Nicolosi E, Toscano V, Gentile A (2011) Evaluation of citrus rootstock transgenic for rolABC gene. Acta Hortic 892:131–140

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lauri PE, Maguylo K, Trottier C (2006) Architecture and size relations: an essay on the apple (Malus × domestica, Rosaceae) tree. Am J Bot 93(3):357–368

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Meldolesi A (2012) Destruction of transgenic olive field trial dubbed ‘vandalism’. Nat Biotechnol 30:736. doi:10.1038/nbt0812-736

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Miano D, Gutierrez Pesce P, Lupi R, Dradi G, Roncasaglia R,Taratufolo C, Rugini E, Muleo R (2004) RolABC genes are differently regulated in the organs and modify gene expression and morphology of olive cultivar Canino. In: Proceedings of XLVIII Italian society of agricultural genetics SIFV-SIGA, Joint Meeting, Lecce, 15–18 September 2004 Book of Abstracts

  • Moran R (1980) Chlorophyll determination in intact tissues using N, N-Dimethylformamide. Plant Physiol 65:478–479

    Article  PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Moran R (1982) Formulae for determination of chlorophyllous pigments extracted with N, N-Dimethylformamide. Plant Physiol 69:1376–1381

    Article  PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Morris SH, Spillane C (2008) GM directive deficiencies in the European Union. EMBO Rep 9:500–504

    Article  PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nakano M, Hoshino Y, Mii M (1994) Regeneration of transgenic plants of grapevine (Vitis vinifera L) via Agrobacterium rhizogenes-mediated transformation of embryogenic calli. J Exp Bot 45:649–656

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Onofri A (2007) Routine statistical analyses of field experiments by using an Excel extension Proceedings 6th National Conference Italian Biometric Society: “La statistica nelle scienze della vita e dell’ambiente”, Pisa, 20–22 June 2007, pp 93–96

  • Pellegrineschi A, Rugini E (1994) Trasformazione genetica del Pelargonium spp tramite Agrobacterium rhizogenes: effetti del T-DNA sul fenotipo In: Atti II giornate scientifiche SOI, San Benedetto del Tronto, 22–24 June, pp 101–102

  • Rapaka VK, Bessler B, Schreiner M, Druege U (2005) Interplay between initial carbohydrate availability, current photosynthesis and adventitious root formation in Pelargonium cuttings. Plant Sci 168:1547–1560

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rugini E (1984). Progress in studies on in vitro culture of Almonds.In: Proceedings 41° Conference on Plant Tissue Culture and its Agricultural Applications. Nottingham. 17–21 Sept 1984 p 73

  • Rugini E (1986) Olive (Olea europaea L.). In: Bajaj YPS (ed) Biotechnology in agriculture and forestry 1, trees I. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, pp 253–267

    Google Scholar 

  • Rugini E, Mariotti D (1991) Agrobacterium rhizogenes T-DNA genes and rooting in woody species. Acta Hortic 300:301–308

    Google Scholar 

  • Rugini E, Luppino M, De Agazio M, Grego S (1991a) Endogenous polyamine and root morphogenesis variations under different treatments in cuttings and in vitro explants of olive. Acta Hortic 300:225–232

    Google Scholar 

  • Rugini E, Pellegrineschi A, Mencuccini M, Mariotti D (1991b) Increase of rooting ability in the woody species kiwi (Actinidia deliciosa) by transformation with Agrobacterium rhizogenes rol genes. Plant Cell Rep 10:291–295

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rugini E, Pellegrineschi A, Muganu M (1994) Transformation of kiwi, cherry and papaya with rol genes. In: V Congress on University and Biotechnology Innovation Brescia, 20–21 June pp 68–69

  • Rugini E, Di Francesco G, Muganu M, Astolfi S, Caricato G (1997a) The role of polyamines and hydrogen peroxide in root formation in olive cuttings and in vitro explants. In: Altman Waisel AE (ed) Biology of root formation and development. Plenum Publishing Corporation, New York, pp 65–74

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Rugini E, Caricato G, Muganu M, Taratufolo C, Camilli M, Cammilli C (1997b) Genetic stability and agronomic evaluation of six-years-old transgenic kiwi plants for rol ABC and rol B genes. Acta Hortic 447:609–610

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rugini E, De Pace C, Gutierrez-Pesce P, Muleo R (2011) Olea. In: Kole C (ed) Wild crop relatives: genomic and breeding resources, temperate fruits. Springer-Verlag, Berlin Heidelberg, pp 79–117

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Sedira M, Butler E, Gallagher T, Welander M (2005) Verification of auxin-induced gene expression during adventitious rooting in rolB-transformed and untransformed apple Jork 9. Plant Sci 168:1193–1198

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Smolka A, Li X, Heikelt C, Welander M, Zhu L (2010) Effects of transgenic rootstocks on growth and development of non-transgenic scion cultivars in apple. Transgenic Res 19:933–948

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tubbs FR (1974) Rootstock/scion relations in horticultural crop physiology. Scentia Hortic 2(3):221–230

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tworkoski T, Miller S (2007) Rootstock effect on growth of apple scions with different growth habits. Sci Hortic 111(4):335–343

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang Y, Pijut PM (2014) Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of black cherry for flowering control and insect resistance. Plant Cell Tissue Organ Cult 119:107–116

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Welander M, Zhu LH (2000) The rooting ability of rolb transformed clones of the apple rootstock M26 and its relation to gene expression. Acta Hortic 521:133–138

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Welander M, Zhu LH, Li XY (2004) Transformation of dwarfing apple and pear rootstocks with the rolB gene and its influence on rooting and growth. Acta Hortic 663:437–442

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yoshikawa T, Furuya T (1987) Saponin production by cultures of Panax ginseng transformed with Agrobacterium rhizogenes. Plant Cell Rep 6:449–453

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zerche S, Druege U (2009) Nitrogen content determines adventitious rooting in Euphorbia pulcherrima under adequate light independently of pre-rooting carbohydrate depletion of cuttings. Sci Hortic 121:340–347

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhu L, Ahlman A, Li YX, Welander M (2001a) Integration of the rolA gene into the genome of the vigorous apple rootstock A2 reduced plant height and shortened internodes. J Hortic Sci Biotechnol 76:758–763

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhu LH, Holefors A, Ahlman A, Xue ZT, Welander M (2001b) Transformation of the apple rootstock M9/29 with the rolB gene and its influence on rooting and growth. Plant Sci 160:433–439

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zhu LH, Li XY, Ahlman A, Welander M (2003) The rooting ability of the dwarfing pear rootstock BP10030 (Pyrus communis) was significantly increased by introduction of the rolB gene. Plant Sci 165:829–835

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhu LH, Li XY, Nyqvist M, Welander M (2007) Improvement of rooting and reduction in plant height in apple and pear through gene transfer. Acta Hortic 738:353–360

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Science and Technologies for Agriculture, Forests, Nature, and Energy, University of Tuscia, Via S. Camillo de Lellis, 01100, Viterbo, Italy

    Eddo Rugini, Cristian Silvestri, Valerio Cristofori, Elena Brunori & Rita Biasi

Authors
  1. Eddo Rugini
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Cristian Silvestri
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Valerio Cristofori
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Elena Brunori
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Rita Biasi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Eddo Rugini.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Rugini, E., Silvestri, C., Cristofori, V. et al. Ten years field trial observations of ri-TDNA cherry Colt rootstocks and their effect on grafted sweet cherry cv Lapins. Plant Cell Tiss Organ Cult 123, 557–568 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11240-015-0860-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11240-015-0860-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation