Adventitious rooting of conifers: influence of biological factors

Vegetative propagation of superior conifer trees can be achieved, e.g., through rooted cuttings or rooted microshoots, the latter predominantly through in vitro tissue culture. Both techniques are used to achieve rapid multiplication of trees with favorable genetic combinations and to capture a large proportion of the genetic diversity in a single generation cycle. However, adventitious rooting of shoots (cuttings) is often not efficient due to various problems, such as scarcity of roots and cessation of their growth, both of which limit the application of vegetative propagation in some conifer species. Many factors are involved in the adventitious rooting of shoots, including physical and chemical ones, such as plant growth regulators, carbohydrates, light quality, temperature and rooting substrates, or media [reviewed by Ragonezi et al. (Trees 24(6):975–992, 2010)]. The focus of this review is on biological factors, such as inoculations with Agrobacterium rhizogenes, plant-growth promoting rhizobacteria and other endophytes, and mycorrhizal fungi, which were found to stimulate adventitious rooting. These microorganisms could contribute not only to adventitious root development but also to help in protecting conifer plants against pathogenic microorganisms, facilitate acclimation and transplanting, and contribute to more sustainable, chemical-free forests.     

Application of Ectomycorrhizal Fungi in Vegetative Propagation of Conifers

In forestry, vegetative propagation is important for the production of selected genotypes and shortening the selection cycles in genetic improvement programs. In vivo cutting production, in vitro organogenesis and somatic embryogenesis are applicable with conifers. However, with most coniferous species these methods are not yet suitable for commercial application. Large-scale production of clonal material using cuttings or organogenesis is hindered by rooting problems and difficulties in the maturation and conversion limit the use of somatic embryogenesis. Economically important conifers form symbiotic relationship mostly with ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi, which increase the fitness of the host tree. Several studies have shown the potential of using ECM fungi in conifer vegetative propagation. Inoculation with specific fungi can enhance root formation and/or subsequent root branching of in vivo cuttings and in vitro adventitious shoots. Germination of somatic embryos and subsequent root growth can also be improved by the use of ECM fungi. In addition, inoculation can increase the tree's ability to overcome the stress related to ex vitro transfer. A specific interaction between a fungal strain and tree clone occurs during root induction and germination of somatic embryos. Multiple rooting factors exist in this interaction that complicate the predictability of the response to inoculation. Fungal-specific factors that influence rooting responses to inoculation may include plant growth regulator production, modification of the rooting environment, and interactions with beneficial microbes. A combination of these factors may act synergistically to result in positive responses in tree genotypes that are compatible with the fungus.     

Quantitative genetic analysis of plant growth: biases arising from vegetative propagation

Propagation through vegetative cuttings is a widely used technique that may bias estimates of genetic and environmental effects on plant growth. Leafy stem cuttings from 210 genotypes from eight populations of Salix pulchra were rooted and raised at three levels of nitrogen availability. Cuttings showed a complex suite of responses to vegetative propagation. Population and/or genotypic variation in response to vegetative propagation was observed in (1) retention of leaves during rooting, (2) date that cuttings resumed shoot growth after rooting, and (3) the frequency of cuttings that remained shoot dormant throughout the experiment. Nitrogen treatments also caused different responses to vegetative propagation, influencing date that cuttings resumed shoot growth and frequency of shoot dormancy. Because each of these responses had a direct effect on final plant size, I concluded that final size was a product of both differences among genotypes and treatments in plant growth rate, as well as genotype- and treatment-specific responses to vegetative propagation. This study shows that plant growth experiments can be designed to quantify responses to vegetative propagation and statistically remove these artifacts of propagation from estimates of genetic and environmental effects on plant growth.     

Aeroponics for adventitious rhizogenesis in evergreen haloxeric tree <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tamarix aphylla</Emphasis> (L.) Karst.: influence of exogenous auxins and cutting type

Tamarix aphylla (L.) Karst., a drought resistant halophyte tree, is an agroforestry species which can be used for reclamation of waterlogged saline and marginal lands. Due to very low seed viability and unsuitable conditions for seed germination, the tree is becoming rare in Indian Thar desert. Present study concerns the evaluation of aeroponics technique for vegetative propagation of T. aphylla. Effect of various exogenous auxins (indole-3-acetic acid, indole-3-butyric acid, naphthalene acetic acid) at different concentrations (0.0, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 5.0, 10.0 mg l^?1) was examined for induction of adventitious rooting and other morphological features. Among all three auxins tested individually, maximum rooting response (79%) was observed with IBA 2.0 mg l^?1. However, stem cuttings treated with a combination of auxins (2.0 mg l^?1 IBA and 1.0 mg l^?1 IAA) for 15 min resulted in 87% of rooting response. Among three types of stem cuttings (apical shoot, newly sprouted cuttings, mature stem cuttings), maximum rooting (~ 90%) was observed on mature stem cuttings. Number of roots and root length were significantly higher in aeroponically rooted stem cuttings as compared to stem cuttings rooted in soil conditions. Successfully rooted and sprouted plants were transferred to polybags with 95% survival rate. This is the first report on aeroponic culture of Tamarix aphylla which can be utilized in agroforestry practices, marginal land reclamation and physiological studies.     

Effects of combinational treatment with ethephon and indole-3-butyric acid on adventitious rooting of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus thunbergii</Emphasis> cuttings

Adventitious rooting is essential for cutting propagation of pine wilt-resistant Pinus thunbergii. To examine a variety of adventitious rooting potentials among donor plants, cuttings were taken from 31 seedlings within a half-sib family. Rooting abilities of cuttings from each seedling ranged from 0 to 100%. When 11 ortets and 11 ramets (clonally propagated from each ortet) were used as donor plants, there was a positive correlation between rooting abilities of cuttings from ortets and ramets, suggesting that adventitious rooting is dependent on genetic factors in the donor plants. To promote adventitious rooting of cuttings by hormonal treatment, we examined the effect of soaking time in Oxyberon (19.7 mM indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) solution) on rooting. Ten minutes was the best soaking time for rooted cuttings to produce more adventitious roots without impairing normal growth. When cuttings were soaked in Ethrel diluent (69.2 μM ethephon) for 24 h before soaking in Oxyberon for 10 min, a significantly higher rooting ability was observed than those soaked in Oxyberon alone. Ethrel on its own barely affected rooting ability. The positive effect of the combinational treatment was confirmed in a similar experiment using authentic ethephon and IBA instead of Ethrel and Oxyberon. When cuttings were soaked in a mixture of ethephon and silver thiosulfate (STS), an ethylene action inhibitor, before IBA-soaking, the effect was partially diminished compared with combinational treatment without STS. These findings suggest that ethylene action caused by ethephon treatment promotes IBA-mediated adventitious rooting of P. thunbergii cuttings.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">In vitro</Emphasis> rooting of two <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eucalyptus urophylla X Eucalyptus grandis</Emphasis> mature clones

Abstract   The rooting capacity of microshoots derived from two mature Eucalyptus urophylla X Eucalyptus grandis half-sib clones kept for 3 y under intensive micropropagation was assessed in different in vitro conditions. A first set of experiments established that clone 147 microshoots rooted earlier and in greater proportions, while producing more adventitious roots overall than their homologs from clone 149. Modifying the composition of the basal 1/2-MS-derived rooting medium by 1/4-MS or Knop macronutrients, or reducing sucrose concentration to 10 g l⁻¹ did not enhance the rooting rates. However, together with the growth regulators added, they had a significant effect on the number of adventitious roots formed. With rooting rates reaching 81%, the higher rootability of clone 147 over clone 149 was further confirmed by the second set of experiments with significant effects of the various auxins tested and strong clone × auxin interactions on the proportions of rooted microshoots and on the number of adventitious roots. The best rooting scores were given by 5 μM indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and 12.5 μM 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), whereas the microshoots exposed to 5 or 12.5 μM indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) were less responsive. Lower light intensities did not improve significantly root capacities, although differences might exist according to the genotype. Overall, root and shoot elongation was stimulated by light. At the end of the experiment, the rooted microshoots were markedly taller than the non-rooted ones, with significant influences of auxins and light intensity, and to a lesser extent, of the genotypes.     

Peroxidases, lignin and anatomy during in vitro and ex vitro rooting of gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides Ellis) microshoots

In vitro and ex vitro rooting of gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides Ellis) microshoots with or without indolic-3-butyric acid (IBA) was studied in order to improve acclimatization of microplants after root formation and transplantation. Peroxidase (POD) activity and isoforms, lignin content and anatomical observations were evaluated in the course of the three interdependent phases (induction, initiation and expression) of microshoot rooting. Microshoots treated or not treated with IBA achieved high rooting percentages both in vitro and ex vitro. At the end of the 2-week acclimatization period, the percentage of surviving microplants ranged from 80% to 100%, for in vitro and ex vitro rooted microshoots, respectively. Microshoots rooted in vitro and ex vitro showed a relationship between rooting and POD activity but in a different time course. It appeared that root formation occurred after the microshoots had reached and passed a peak of maximum enzyme activity. In all treatments, electrophoretic analysis (native PAGE) of PODs revealed the appearance of one anionic and three cationic POD isoforms (C(1), C(3) and C(4)). An additional cationic POD isoform (C(2)) appeared only in the ex vitro rooting. The lignin content was similar in microshoots rooted both in vitro and ex vitro. The sequential anatomical changes during the rooting process were similar in both in vitro and ex vitro rooting treatments. In the case of in vitro rooting, pith cells had vacuoles entirely filled with a dark substance, while in the case of ex vitro rooting, pith cells contained many amyloplasts. The origin of the adventitious roots, in both rooting conditions, was located in the cambial ring. Roots with organized tissue systems emerged from the microshoot stem 10-14 days after the root induction treatments; on day 10 for rooting in vitro, while a 4-day delay was noted in microshoots rooted ex vitro.     

Control of root meristem establishment in conifers

The evolution of terrestrial plant life was made possible by the establishment of a root system, which enabled plants to migrate from aquatic to terrestrial habitats. During evolution, root organization has gradually progressed from a very simple to a highly hierarchical architecture. Roots are initiated during embryogenesis and branch afterward through lateral root formation. Additionally, adventitious roots can be formed post‐embryonically from aerial organs. Induction of adventitious roots (ARs) forms the basis of the vegetative propagation via cuttings in horticulture, agriculture and forestry. This method, together with somatic embryogenesis, is routinely used to clonally multiply conifers. In addition to being utilized as propagation techniques, adventitious rooting and somatic embryogenesis have emerged as versatile models to study cellular and molecular mechanisms of embryo formation and organogenesis of coniferous species. Both formation of the embryonic root and the AR primordia require the establishment of auxin gradients within cells that coordinate the developmental response. These processes also share key elements of the genetic regulatory networks that, e.g. are triggering cell fate. This minireview gives an overview of the molecular control mechanisms associated with root development in conifers, from initiation in the embryo to post‐embryonic formation in cuttings.     

Multiple factors influence adventitious rooting in carnation (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Dianthus caryophyllus</Emphasis> L.) stem cuttings

Efficient propagation of uniform starting material is a critical requirement for mass production of most ornamental plants, including carnation. For some elite cultivars, the production of young plantlets is limited by poor adventitious root formation from stem cuttings. We previously characterized the molecular signature during adventitious rooting in two carnation cultivars, 2101-02 MFR and 2003 R 8, which were selected because of their contrasting rooting performance. To determine additional factors that contribute to the differences observed in adventitious rooting during the commercial scaling-up of this species, we characterized rooting performance and endogenous hormone levels in stem cuttings of these two cultivars during one production season. We found that stem cutting production declined during the harvest season in a cultivar-dependent manner. In addition, the initiation of adventitious roots in the stem cutting base depended on its endogenous auxin and cytokinin levels at harvest time, while their subsequent growth and development was mainly influenced by the physiological status of the mother plant at harvest time and of the stem cutting during the rooting process.     

蚊净香草快速繁殖研究

以蚊净香草嫩叶和叶柄为外植体进行培养,筛选合适的外植体与诱导、增殖和生根的最佳培养基。结果表明,叶片外植体在MS+6-BA 2.0mg/L+NAA 0.5mg/L培养基最适于诱导愈伤组织和不定芽;MS+6-BA 1.0mg/L+NAA 0.3mg/L培养基有利于不定芽增殖;无根苗在含有低浓度无机盐和生长素水平的生根培养基上易生根,生根率高达100%。     

甘蔗试管苗光合自养生根技术研究

为了简化甘蔗组织培养流程,降低生产成本,该文以甘蔗品种GT44和B9无根试管苗为材料,先经叶片喷施植物生长调节剂处理,然后炼苗24 h,接着把处理后的试验苗移植于沙土混合栽培基质中,研究其在日光温室条件下完成不定根的形成和生长过程; 同时比较了无根试管苗和有根试管苗的移栽存活率和生长情况。试管苗生根率调查时间为试管苗移植后第3天开始至第10天结束,成活率的调查时间为试管苗移植后的第30天。结果表明:经吲哚丁酸(IBA)和ABT2号生根粉处理的无根试管苗的移栽成活率分别为96.3%和97.7%,接近传统生根试管苗的移栽成活率,且其单株试管苗生根成本为传统生根方法的1/28。甘蔗品种GT44和B9试管苗首次出现可见根的时间均发生在试管苗移栽后的第4天。试管苗根的再生可以在有菌的沙土基质栽培和日光温室条件下完成,而不需要在无菌的MS生根培养基和培养室中进行生根; 基因型和试管苗素质是影响甘蔗试管苗光合自养生根的关键因素; 甘蔗试管苗光合自养生根技术比传统试管苗培养基生根技术拥有更多优势,且操作简单、程序简化、生根率和成活率高、省工、节省能源和生产成本、效率高,替代传统的试管苗生根技术,应用于商业化生产。     

Genetic dissection of vegetative propagation traits in Eucalyptus tereticornis and E. globulus

We have detected quantitative trait loci (QTLs) affecting vegetative propagation traits in Eucalyptus tereticornis and Eucalyptus globulus. Using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) genetic linkage maps, the inheritance of 199 markers was assessed in 94 F₁ individuals with extreme adventitious rooting response, and in 221 randomly chosen F₁ individuals. Phenotypes were scored in 1995 and 1996. QTL analyses were performed using chi-square tests (χ²), single-marker analysis (SMA), interval mapping (IM) and composite interval mapping (CIM). All approaches yielded similar QTL detection results. Three QTLs are hypothesized for mortality (MORT=% dead cuttings), nine for adventitious rooting (ROOT, RCT=% rooted cuttings relative to the surviving or total cuttings, respectively), four for petrification (PETR=% surviving unrooted cuttings), one for sprouting ability (SPR=number of stump sprout cuttings harvested in 1995) and four for the stability of adventitious rooting (STAB=absolute value of the difference ROOT95-ROOT96). All putative QTLs for MORT and PETR were located on the E. tereticornis map, and for SPR and STAB on the E. globulus map. We found different QTLs for MORT, ROOT, RCT, SPR and STAB. Putative QTLs accounted for 2.6–17.0% of the phenotypic variance of a trait (R²). Estimated standardized gene substitution effects varied between 0.13 and 0.49 phenotypic standard deviations (σ_p). These results indicate that the phenotypic variation in these traits has a meaningful genetic component and that stable QTLs can be found in a family of reasonable size where no previous knowledge of the trait was available. Received: 1 September 1998 / Accepted: 24 February 1999     

Reduced irradiance and applied auxin influence carbohydrate relations in Pinus banksiana cuttings during propagation

Untreated and indole-3-butyrie acid-treated (IBA) cuttings from 90-day-old Pinus banksiana Lamb, stock plants were propagated under normal greenhouse irradiance (max. 900 $$mol m^-2 s^-1) and shade (max. 120 $$mol m^-2 s^-1) to determine effects on adventitious rooting and on reducing sugar and starch concentrations in needles and basal stems. In one experiment, cuttings were assessed at days 15 and 25 of propagation for basal 1-cm stem fresh weight, proportion rooted, number of roots and longest root length. In a second experiment with cuttings, basal 1-cm stem fresh weight and concentrations of reducing sugar and starch in needles and basal stems were measured each day for the first 10 days of propagation. Carbohydrate measurements were also made for seedling stock plants as controls for the second experiment. Carbohydrate data for cuttings were primarily evaluated based on net (cutting minus seedling) concentrations, to correct for changes in cuttings not related to adventitious rooting. Increase of basal stem fresh weight and rooting of cuttings, based on all measured variables, occurred in the order: light + IBA > light > shade + IBA > shade. The best rooting required the greater irradiance. Compared to results from cuttings in the light, shading resulted in lesser accumulations of reducing sugars and starch in needles and basal stems. Reducing sugar: starch concentration ratios were significantly greater in shade- vs light-propagated cuttings, IBA treatment did not offset the effects of shade on rooting or on reducing sugar and starch concentrations or ratios. Overall, the results suggested that decreased reducing sugar and starch concentrations and/or their increased ratios are associated with shade-induced poor rooting of P. banksiana cuttings.     

Proteomic analysis of different mutant genotypes of Arabidopsis led to the identification of 11 proteins correlating with adventitious root development

A lack of competence to form adventitious roots by cuttings or explants in vitro occurs routinely and is an obstacle for the clonal propagation and rapid fixation of elite genotypes. Adventitious rooting is known to be a quantitative genetic trait. We performed a proteomic analysis of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) mutants affected in their ability to develop adventitious roots in order to identify associated molecular markers that could be used to select genotypes for their rooting ability and/or to get further insight into the molecular mechanisms controlling adventitious rooting. Comparison of two-dimensional gel electrophoresis protein profiles resulted in the identification of 11 proteins whose abundance could be either positively or negatively correlated with endogenous auxin content, the number of adventitious root primordia, and/or the number of mature adventitious roots. One protein was negatively correlated only to the number of root primordia and two were negatively correlated to the number of mature adventitious roots. Two putative chaperone proteins were positively correlated only to the number of primordia, and, interestingly, three auxin-inducible GH3-like proteins were positively correlated with the number of mature adventitious roots. The others were correlated with more than one parameter. The 11 proteins are predicted to be involved in different biological processes, including the regulation of auxin homeostasis and light-associated metabolic pathways. The results identify regulatory pathways associated with adventitious root formation and represent valuable markers that might be used for the future identification of genotypes with better rooting abilities.     

Role of auxin and its modulators in the adventitious rooting of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eucalyptus</Emphasis> species differing in recalcitrance

It is well established that auxins play a central role in the determination of rooting capacity, which is essential for vegetative propagation. Recent studies with apple trees have pointed to significant effects of auxin stability, wound related phenolics and ethylene production in the control of adventitious rooting. In the present study, a comparative analysis of the adventitious rooting of microcuttings of Eucalyptus saligna (easy-to-root species) and Eucalyptus globulus (difficult-to-root species) was carried out with different types of auxins, light intensities, presence or absence of apical meristem, different concentrations of phenolic compounds and presence or absence of an ethylene action inhibitor. Parameters evaluated were the percent rooting, number of roots per rooted cutting, length of longest root and mean rooting time. Results showed that auxins of intermediate stability are more favorable to rooting (particularly for the recalcitrant species), higher light intensities in the presence of exogenous auxins promote the rooting response, the absence of meristematic apex or externally supplied phenolics are not limiting for the rooting induced by exogenous auxins, and ethylene appears to play a minor role in the development of adventitious roots in microcuttings of Eucalyptus, indicating that the rhizogenic response results from direct effect of auxins.     

Pre and post-severance effects of light quality on carbohydrate dynamics and microcutting adventitious rooting of two Eucalyptus species of contrasting recalcitrance

Adventitious rooting is a complex developmental response affected by genetic and environmental factors. Radiation quality effects on adventitious rooting depend on characteristics such as species, growth stage, irradiance, spectral quality, and time of exposure. Eucalyptus is an essential genus for the paper industry, and high yield plantations depend on adventitious rooting of selected genotypes. This work addressed two hypotheses: (1) radiation quality equally affects adventitious rooting in Eucalyptus species of different recalcitrance; (2) adventitious rooting outcome depends on both donor plant and cutting radiation quality treatments. To that end, the easy-to-root Eucalyptus grandis and the recalcitrant Eucalyptus globulus were evaluated. The effect of white, blue, red and far-red radiation enrichment on microcuttings and donor plants of both species was evaluated in relation to rooting. There was no effect of radiation quality on adventitious rooting of E. grandis or when radiation treatments were applied to E. globulus microcuttings. In contrast, donor plants of E. globulus, grown in medium devoid of sucrose and exposed to far-red radiation, yielded microcuttings showing higher rooting percentage, even in the absence of exogenous auxin in the rooting medium. Sucrose in donor plant medium abolished the positive effect of far-red radiation. An increase in endogenous soluble sugars and starch contents in basal microcuttings was associated with far-red radiation treatment of donor plants. These results underline the importance of appropriate carbohydrate partitioning in donor plants for adventitious rooting of cuttings and provide a basis for understanding and overcoming rooting recalcitrance in E. globulus clones.     

Early steps of adventitious rooting: morphology,hormonal profiling and carbohydrate turnover in carnation stem cuttings

The rooting of stem cuttings is a common vegetative propagation practice in many ornamental species. A detailed analysis of the morphological changes occurring in the basal region of cultivated carnation cuttings during the early stages of adventitious rooting was carried out and the physiological modifications induced by exogenous auxin application were studied. To this end, the endogenous concentrations of five major classes of plant hormones [auxin, cytokinin (CK), abscisic acid, salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid] and the ethylene precursor 1‐aminocyclopropane‐1‐carboxylic acid were analyzed at the base of stem cuttings and at different stages of adventitious root formation. We found that the stimulus triggering the initiation of adventitious root formation occurred during the first hours after their excision from the donor plant, due to the breakdown of the vascular continuum that induces auxin accumulation near the wounding. Although this stimulus was independent of exogenously applied auxin, it was observed that the auxin treatment accelerated cell division in the cambium and increased the sucrolytic activities at the base of the stem, both of which contributed to the establishment of the new root primordia at the stem base. Further, several genes involved in auxin transport were upregulated in the stem base either with or without auxin application, while endogenous CK and SA concentrations were specially affected by exogenous auxin application. Taken together our results indicate significant crosstalk between auxin levels, stress hormone homeostasis and sugar availability in the base of the stem cuttings in carnation during the initial steps of adventitious rooting.     

Direct adventitious shoot bud formation on hypocotyls explants in Millettia pinnata (L.) Panigrahi- a biodiesel producing medicinal tree species

A reproducible protocol developed for in vitro regeneration of Milletia pinnata using hypocotyl segments. Multiple shoots were induced from hypocotyl explants through direct adventitious shoot bud regeneration. The proximal end of hypocotyls was responsive for shoot bud induction. Silver nitrate and adenine sulphate had a positive effect on shoot bud induction and elongation. The maximum response and number of shoot bud produced in media supplemented with 8.88 μM BAP with 108.6 μM adenine sulphate and 11.84 μM silver nitrate. Elongated shoots were harvested and successful rooting of microshoots achieved on MS media supplemented with 9.84 μM IBA, with 81.1 % rooting. Remaining shoot buds sub-cultured for further multiplication and elongation. Each subculture produced eight to nine elongated microshoots up to four subcultures. The rooted microshoots were successfully hardened and transferred to field.     

Biotechnological advances in pomegranate (Punica granatum L.)

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is known for its nutritional, medicinal, and ornamental importance. It is conventionally propagated by hardwood and softwood cuttings, but about 1 yr is needed before the rooted cuttings can be transplanted to the field. Propagation by seed is undesirable as populations are heterozygous and seed propagation leads to wide variations in tree and fruit characteristics. Several studies have been conducted on in vitro culture of pomegranate, and protocols have been developed for plant regeneration through organogenesis and embryogenesis from various types of explants. Tissue culture has enabled mass propagation of superior genotypes of both wild and cultivated varieties. However, successful application of tissue culture systems for genetic engineering of pomegranate is still limited. Molecular markers are essential for identification and discrimination of genotypes for genetic conservation, crop improvement, breeding programs, and commercialization of superior genotypes. These techniques may also be applicable to rapid identification and indexing of disease-free planting material. This review focuses on the biotechnological approaches that are being used for pomegranate improvement.     

Quantitative trait loci controlling vegetative propagation traits mapped in European pear (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pyrus communis</Emphasis> L.)

The ease of vegetative propagation by hardwood cuttings is a critical trait for consideration by breeders of woody perennial rootstocks. This is especially so for Pyrus, because most Pyrus rootstock are known to be difficult to propagate. This report presents progress on the identification of loci controlling rooting of hardwood cuttings in European pear (Pyrus communis L.). Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) controlling the development of adventitious roots on hardwood cuttings were identified in both parents of a mapping population developed by crossing “Old Home” and “Louise Bonne de Jersey,” with the goal of investigating the genetic control of several rootstock related traits, which would be useful for rootstock breeding. A QTL for root development was identified on chromosome 7, co-located in both parents and exhibiting male and female additive and dominance effects. These results will assist in developing genetic markers that can be utilized by rootstock breeders for marker-assisted selection for this complex trait.