Apple Rootstocks
M 9
It is about 30-40 percent of standard apple rootstock size. M 9 is a dwarf rootstock suitable for high-density planting. It is resistant to the crown rot disease and moderately sensitive to the fire blight and wooly aphid. It requires support systems throughout the cultivation. Spur-type varieties such as Scarlett Spur, Redchief and Starkspur Golden shouldn’t be grafted on it. It should be recommended for the field without watering limitation. It is moderately resistant to heavy-textured and calcareous soils. The most advantageous characteristics M 9 provides to the trees are high fruit quality, early fruit bearing and high productivity out of a unit area within a short period of time.
MM 106
It is about 65-75 percent of standard seedling rootstock size. It is a semi-dwarf rootstock, resistant to wooly aphid and very sensitive to crown rot disease (Phytophthora spp). Therefore, it definitely shouldn’t be recommended for heavy-textured and argillaceous soils. It has a root system deeper and stronger than M9 and M26 rootstocks. Even though it is resistant to the weather conditions more than M9 and MM 26 rootstocks, it should be preferred for the gardens with regular watering abilities. Supporting systems are not required for the gardens in which MM 106 is planted. It gets commercially productive within three or four years after planting.
MM 111
It is a semi-dwarf rootstock with growth strength between MM 106 and standard seedling rootstock. It is 80-85 percent of standard seedling size under good caring conditions. It is resistant to crown rot disease, wooly aphid and heavy-textured, argillaceous, calcareous soils with a pH scale higher than 7. It becomes commercially productive within four or five years depending on the caring conditions. If early blossom is required, in some cases M 9 can be preferred as the inter-stem rootstock. It gives better results when grafted on spur type and low vigor varieties.