The new rootstock Fox 9 is very interesting as it is suited to calcareous soils, is of medium vigour, is suitable for medium-high density, stimulates uniform production and induces quick entry into production.
| Variety denomination | Fox 9 |
|---|---|
| Thematic area | Plant varieties |
| Ownership | UNIVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI MILANO, VENETO AGRICOLTURA, ALMA MATER STUDIORUM - UNIVERSITA' DI BOLOGNA |
| Breeders | DANIELE BASSI, Bruno Marangoni, Massimo Tagliavini, Maurizio Quartieri |
| Protection | European Community |
| Licensing status | Worldwide exclusive rights of multiplication, production and marketing licensed to Vivai F.lli Zanzi |
| Species | Pyrus communis L. |
Fox 9 is a clonal rootstock obtained from the selection of freely pollinated seedlings of the cultivar Volpina (Pyrus communis L.), once used in Emilia-Romagna to obtain pear seedling rootstocks. Selected as DCA-BO E110 in 1982 at the Department of Tree Crops at the University of Bologna, since 1998 it has been assessed in cooperation with Veneto Agricoltura. At these facilities, the health conditions of the genetic material was checked (all the selections were found to be virus-free in line with the analysis protocols laid down in the national regulation in force), in-vitro propagation protocols were developed (the percentage of rooting in MS medium is approximately 70%), the behaviour in the nursery was assessed (also in cooperation with CO.VI.P. in Bari) and, finally, the behaviour in the field, grafted with cultivars Abate Fétel, Conference and William.
- Tree: The tree is noted for its semi-upright habit and medium vigour. The buds have linear growth, with regular internodes, separated by medium-sized nodes without thorns. The broad root system ensures strong anchoring of the tree; the plants multiplied by micropropagation have abundant root hairs. It did not show any sucker production.
- Agronomic evaluation: Fox 9 has medium-rusticity, tolerates clayey soils and adapts to calcareous and sub-alkaline soils. It propagates very well in-vitro, but requires further checks concerning its suitability for ground layering. Grafted with the main pear cultivars, it stands out for its excellent grafting affinity, excellent vegetative renewal and the production of well-formed saplings. The observations carried out in the field show how it induces vigour greater than Quince BA29, but similar to those of other clonal seedlings used today (around 20% more in William and Abate Fétel and almost 40% more in Conference). The fruiting precocity is slightly less than Quince BA29. From the fifth year the cropping of trees grafted on Fox 9 was however constantly superior to that measured on BA29. The fruits have a size and organoleptic characteristics similar to those of trees grafted on Quince BA29.
- Overall assessment: The new rootstock Fox 9 is very interesting for pear cultivars Abate Fètel, Conference and William. It is easily propagated with good environmental adaptability and is particularly suited to soils with high active lime and high pH. It induces medium vigour and is therefore suited to medium-(1800-2000 trees/ha) or medium-high density orchards (up to 2400 trees/ha). The grafted varieties show a balanced conformation and excellent fruiting. Quick entry into production (from the third year) above all if in the first few years pruning is limited, applying pruning techniques aiming to promote early fruiting.
Patents and Trade Marks:
- Community plant variety right no. 38536 issued on 7 July 2014, held by Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, University of Milan and Veneto Agricoltura.
Licences:
- Worldwide exclusive rights of multiplication, production and marketing licensed to Vivai F.lli Zanzi.
- Quartieri M., Tagliavini M., Marangoni B., Bassi D., Schiavon L., Giannini M., Previati A. 2008. Fox 9, nuovo portinnesto per il pero europeo. Frutticoltura. n. 10-2008: 52-54.
- Quartieri M., Schiavon L., Marangoni B., Tagliavini M., Bassi D., Previati A. and Giannini M. 2011. Evaluation of Pear Rootstocks Selections. Acta Horticulturae 909: 153-159.