PROPAGATION OF APPLE ROOTSTOCKS IN THAILAND: PROPAGATING BY AIR AND TRENCH LAYERING METHODS

Three apple rootstock clones (MM106, Indonesian, and Marubakaido N-1) showed a range of rooting success when propagated by air and trench layerings. Rooting percentage of air layered MM106 was 77.5 while for Marubakaido N-1 and Indonesian it was at 52.6 and 34.5% respectively. The rooting ability of MM106, Marubakaido N-1 and Indonesian rootstocks was better when trench layering was used. The results for rooting were 100%, 58.5%, and 35.5% for MM106, Marubakaido N-1, and Indonesian, respectively.

It was found that for Thailand the beginning of the rainy season (June) is the most suitable time for starting the layering process, but satisfactory results were also obtained by starting in summer (April) if the moisture in the soil is at a satisfactory level. The time needed for shoots layered in June and April to root adequately for detachment from stock plants was 50 days.