Tree fruit breeding and genetics

By funding breeding and genetics, AHDB is investing in the future of the fruit industry. AHDB sees supporting breeding as a long-term strategy to support IPM, decrease labour costs and improve fruit quality.

AHDB has committed funding to a tree fruit breeding programme, the East Malling Rootstock Club. As a member of this group we can ensure all the varieties which are released from this programme are ‘open’ and available to all UK growers. AHDB involvement also ensures that the breeding objectives remain relevant to UK production and the varieties are suited to the British climate.

East Malling Rootstock Club (EMRC) TF 224

The East Malling Rootstock Club (EMRC) was established in 2008 and aims to breed a range of improved apple, pear and quince rootstocks to suit different growing conditions which are resistant to a range of pest and diseases. The Club benefits both from allied research at NIAB EMR but also from East Malling’s historic expertise in this area and valuable breeding material.

Improved rootstocks are essential for profitable and sustainable top-fruit production. The specific breeding objectives of the EMRC are reviewed annually by the EMRC Board, which includes representation from the AHDB, but broadly the aims are to:

Reduce the cost of pruning and simplify picking by producing dwarfing rootstocks
Produce rootstocks which result in precocious and reliable cropping
Rootstocks which propagate easily are free from suckers and give good anchorage
Provide durable pest and disease resistance
Produce drought and flood tolerant rootstocks to give resilience to climate change effects

Find out more about the latest news and research from tree fruit

Tree fruit breeding and genetics

By funding breeding and genetics, AHDB is investing in the future of the fruit industry. AHDB sees supporting breeding as a long-term strategy to support IPM, decrease labour costs and improve fruit quality.

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