FRUIT ROOTSTOCK RESEARCH IN EUROPE PERFORMED BY EUFRIN ROOTSTOCK GROUP

Fruit tree rootstock research is important in many European countries. Fifty two scientists representing 21 fruit research institutions from 16 countries joined the European Fruit Research Institutes Network (EUFRIN) Rootstock Working Group. This review will describe on-going projects and objectives of rootstock research at the institutions which are members of EUFRIN Rootstock group. More than 180 scientific papers were published by members of EUFRIN Rootstock group since 2003. Also available are the data of pome and stone fruit rootstocks in the trials and collections in Europe. The consolidation of this information hopefully will promote more efficient cooperation and facilitate rootstock research by sharing experience, methodology and plant material. The need for international, cooperative trials is presented and suggestions for future cooperation are discussed. Rootstock evaluation programs in Europe are focused primarily on apples. Apple rootstocks (175) and their clones are included in various trials and collections of EUFRIN Rootstock group, but apricot, plum, peach (115), cherry (75) and pear (51) rootstocks also are included.