Mahaleb rootstock named ‘UCMH 59’

Abstract

A new and distinct cultivar of Prunus mahaleb is provided. The new cultivar is particularly well suited for serving as an understock during cherry production. A number of advantages are provided when compared to the standard Mahaleb rootstock. The cultivar is readily amenable to vegetative propagation (e.g., by the use of softwood cuttings), and exhibits some improved resistance to Phytophthora spp. When used with a ‘Bing’ cherry scion, increased yields and yield efficiency have been observed without reduced fruit size. Improved precocity in bearing is displayed when compared to the standard Mahaleb rootstock. The new cultivar when grown without use as an understock forms a larger and more vigorous tree than the ‘UCMH 55’ and ‘UCMH 56’ cultivars that were products of the same research program. When used as a rootstock, the new cultivar produces a compact tree with a size reduction of approximately 20 to 25 percent compared to that produced when using a standard Mahaleb rootstock. Few suckers are produced.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.