Achieving resistant rootstocks to Rosellinia root rot in Iranian local greengage (Prunus domestica subsp. italica) genotypes

Root rot, caused by Rosellinia necatrix is one of the most important soil-borne diseases in stone fruit trees. R. nectarix is a fungus that causes severe damages; killing the fruit trees, regardless of their growth stage. Therefore this research was carried out to identify and to introduce resistant stone-fruit trees rootstocks to root-rot, caused by R. nectarix. For this purpose, seeds of 22 wild genotypes were collected from 6 provinces in Iran (East Azerbaijan, Ardebil, Kohgeloye va boyer Ahmad, Kerman, Tehran, and Alborz), washed, dried, and kept at 4-5°C for chilling treatment. After germination, seedlings were transferred to plastic pots. Seedlings were inoculated at the crown position with three wheat seeds, infected by R. nectarix. Results of this experiment showed a significant difference for studied traits (except internode length) for studied genotypes. Most viable trees (%) were observed for Kohgeloye G24 and Ahmadbeygloo 1 rootstocks. In general according to obtained data genotypes Garmi, Anar G.3, and Anar B1 were the most susceptible rootstocks to root-rot disease caused by R. nectarix. Also, genotypes Ahmadbeygloo 1, Kohgeloye G24, and Bijagh 1 were defined as the most resistant genotypes to this disease which can be suggested as potential rootstocks, resistant to R. nectarix.