Rootstocks affect pear (Pyrus communis) tree growth through extent of node neoformation and flowering with key differences to apple.

Improved knowledge of rootstock effects on pear (Pyrus communis L.) tree development is required before early assessment of rootstock breeding populations can be improved. Two cultivars, 'Doyenné du Comice' and 'Concorde', were grafted on Pyrus calleryana Decne.

After initial invigoration by heading, young pear trees show reduction in axis vigour and increased propensity to flower.

Fast establishment of the canopy in young trees, followed by reduced vegetative vigour and precocity are desirable traits in fruit production. Severe heading (cutting back the primary axis of the tree after the first year of growth) to induce branching is a nursery practice to increase early fruit yield. Our aim was to provide a systematic study of the responses of young pear trees to severe heading.

A genomics approach to understanding the role of auxin in apple (Malus x domestica) fruit size control.

Background: Auxin is an important phytohormone for fleshy fruit development, having been shown to be involved in the initial signal for fertilisation, fruit size through the control of cell division and cell expansion, and ripening related events. There is considerable knowledge of auxin-related genes, mostly from work in model species. With the apple genome now available, it is possible to carry out genomics studies on auxin-related genes to identify genes that may play roles in specific stages of apple fruit development.