Apple replant disease (ARD) develops when apple trees are replanted in soil with a history of apple cultivation. Affected trees often show damaged roots, stunted shoots, and reduced fruit yield and quality, with reported losses of 20% to 50%. The disease is associated with shifts in soil microbial communities, but its severity also varies with soil properties, orchard history, and apple genotype. Existing countermeasures, including soil disinfection, crop rotation, tolerant rootstocks, microbial inoculants, and biofumigation, can be costly, impractical, or inconsistent across locations. Previous transcriptomic studies also examined relatively few soils, limiting the search for universal diagnostic signals. Because of these challenges, in-depth research is needed to identify biomarkers that can diagnose ARD consistently across diverse soils. Researchers from the Julius Kühn Institute (JKI) – Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Leibniz University Hannover, the University of Bayreuth, and Goethe University Frankfurt reported (DOI: 10.1093/hr/uhag140) the study in Horticulture Research on 16 April 2026. The team used high-throughput quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) to measure the expression of 90 candidate genes in the roots of ARD-sensitive ‘M.26’ apple plants grown in soils from 151 German sites. They also examined leaves from plants grown in a subset of 18 soils, allowing...

Rootstocks delivered similar gains. Higher nitrogen brought modest benefits but reduced raisin quality.

Rootstocks delivered similar gains. Higher nitrogen brought modest benefits but reduced raisin quality.

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From 2021 to 2023, the effects of trellis type (two-wire “T” versus high single wire), rootstock (own-rooted, Freedom, or 1103P), and annual nitrogen fertilizer application rate (40 versus 80 lbs N/acre) were evaluated in the San Joaquin Valley to determine impacts on Sunpreme productivity, raisin quality and mineral nutrition. The T-trellis increased yield approximately 10%, with a slight decrease in raisin quality, compared to the high single-wire trellis. Rootstocks also increased yield by 10%. The higher N rate did not increase raisin yield, but it reduced raisin quality. None of the treatments tested affected preharvest fruit drop. Petiole and blade nutrient concentrations were affected to some extent by all treatments, but most nutrients, other than potassium (K) and zinc (Zn), were present at concentrations that are generally considered adequate. Vine nutrition was particularly affected by rootstock, with vines on Freedom having the highest levels of boron (B), potassium (K), and nitrogen (TN), and the lowest Zn Vines on 1103P had the lowest K and highest magnesium (Mg). Own-rooted vines had the lowest NO3-N, Ca, and Mg, but the highest Zn. Effects of rootstocks on nutrition could have management implications, depending on soil type. The amount of select nutrients in 1 t of raisins was determined. There were approximately 0.0089 kg B, 7.3 kg K, 0.345 kg Mg, 5.8 kg N, and 0.0025 kg Zn in a t of raisins. The quantity of certain nutrients in raisins was most affected by rootstock. Vines on Freedom had the most B and K, and among the most Mg and N. Increasing the N application rate modestly increased yield, and the harvested raisins contained approximately 44.8 to 58.3 kg N/ha, depending on N rate. These values provide practical estimates for nutrient replacement in NDOV vineyards. Overall, yield improvements were achieved with two-wire trellis and rootstocks, while higher N rates increased yield at the expense of quality. Annual applications of 44.8 – 56 kg N per hectare appear sufficient to sustain yield and maintain raisin quality.

Apples are easy to grow and undemanding and thanks to some excellent dwarfing rootstocks, it is possible to grow them in the smallest of gardens.

Every vineyard is a long-term investment in an uncertain future. As climate conditions shift, markets evolve and new technologies emerge, producers are being challenged to make decisions today that will shape South African wine for…

Vittorio De Stefano, owner of On Seven winery, has waited 17 years to release the first pinot noir from the Niagara-on-the-Lake farm he and his wife purchased in 2009. Collaborating with consultant Peter Gamble, they meticulously studied soil structure to select optimal Burgundy clones and rootstocks for chardonnay and pinot noir. The process of sourcing ideal vines from French nurseries took longer than expected, leading to the removal of existing grapevines to start fresh. The five-acre vineyard is certified organic, with an adjacent eight-acre property acquired for future cultivation. The 2023 vintage faced challenges like winter frost and wet conditions, requiring crop reduction to ensure quality. Production totaled 71 cases of pinot noir and 86 cases of chardonnay. Future releases from 2024 and 2025 are aging in barrels. The article also highlights Kirby Estate Pinot Blanc 2023, a rare white wine from a family-owned Niagara-on-the-Lake winery without a tasting room, praised for its citrus and peach notes. Both wines reflect the region’s growing reputation for premium vintages.

Late pruning, changes in grape varieties or rootstocks, night harvesting and cover crops were the most common steps among respondents.

Growers reported later pruning, new rootstocks, irrigation and earlier harvests, showing how heat and drought are altering a major French wine region.

Urban fruit tree culture Fruit tree variety selection Rootstocks and climate adaptability Tree size management Successive ripening Bare root fruit trees Desert fruit tree growing Sunburn and sunscald protection Wind stress and windbreaks Pre-irrigation before extreme heat Mulching and soil temperature Companion planting Citrus in desert climates Container-grown citrus Key Questions Answered What is urban fruit tree culture? Urban fruit tree culture is growing fruit trees under limited backyard conditions, where space is restricted and the goal is to make the most productive use of that space. Tom recommends growing varieties you actually like and will use while considering climate, geography, and soil type. Why is tree size management so important for backyard growers? Backyard growers generally don’t need hundreds of pounds of one type of fruit at once. Keeping trees compact makes pruning, thinning, harvesting, and other maintenance easier while allowing multiple varieties to be grown in the same space. How can successive ripening extend a backyard harvest? By planting varieties that ripen at different times, gardeners can harvest the same type of fruit over a much longer period. Instead of getting one large crop for two weeks, several varieties can provide fruit for a month and a half...

Late pruning, changes in grape varieties or rootstocks, night harvesting and cover crops were the most common steps among respondents.

In chamber tests at 600 ppm CO2 and 40°C, the plants increased antioxidant activity and photosynthetic capacity under minimal irrigation.

Growers reported later pruning, new rootstocks, irrigation and earlier harvests, showing how heat and drought are altering a major French wine region.

Fruit Trees, Scions, and Rootstocks for Apples, Pears, Cherries, Plums, Peaches, and Nectarines

Choosing an apple tree - what rootstocks mean for final size, why pollination groups matter, and picking a variety that suits a small garden.

In chamber tests at 600 ppm CO2 and 40°C, the plants increased antioxidant activity and photosynthetic capacity under minimal irrigation.

Abstract. Grafting cucumber onto salt-tolerant pumpkin rootstocks is widely used to alleviate salt stress, yet the contribution of long-distance mRNA signa