Different rootstocks for cherries - Influence on polyphenol content and graft incompatibility

The influence of various cherry rootstocks on the concentration and composition of polyphenol substances in the phloem above and under the graft union was determined by HPLC analysis. Phloem samples from three-year-old cherry trees cv. 'Lapins' grafted on the rootstocks F 12/1 (a homogenctic grafting), Gisela 4, Gisela 5, Gisela 195/20, Maxma 14, Pi-Ku 4/20, Tabel Edabriz, W 13, W 72 and W 158 (heterogenetic graftings) were used. In the phloem the concentration of catechin, epicatechin, eriodictyol 7-glucoside, pcournaric acid, genistein, dihydrowogonin 7-glucoside and prunin were analysed. Significant differences in catechin, eriodictyol 7-glucoside, dihydrowogonin 7-glucoside, p-cournaric acid and prunin contents in the phloem of various rootstocks under the graft union and a significant different genistein content above the graft union were determined. Higher values of epicatechin, eriodictyol 7-glucoside, genistein, prunin were found above and under the graft union and higher values of p-coumaric acid and dihydrowogonin 7-glucoside above the graft union in the heterogenetic graftings were present when compared to the homogenetic one (cv. 'Lapins'/F 12/1). Higher values of some metabolites in the phloem of heterogenetic graftings indicate that cherry rootstocks, which are hybrids or clones of various species from the genus Prunus can influence symptoms of incompatibility faster than rootstocks from Prunus avium.