Dwarfing fruit trees is achieved primarily by using which rootstock technique?

• A. Grafting onto standard rootstock
• B. Cutting propagation
• C. Budding or grafting onto a dwarfing rootstock
• D. Seed propagation

Answer: (C)

Tree size is largely determined by the rootstock, which controls the vigor and ultimate height and spread of the grafted desired cultivar. When a dwarfing rootstock is used, its restricted growth capacity limits water uptake and hormonal signals to the scion, resulting in a much smaller, more manageable tree that often fruits sooner. The way to achieve that dwarf size is to graft or bud the chosen cultivar onto a dwarfing rootstock. This combination is what produces the compact form gardeners and orchardists rely on. Grafting onto a standard rootstock would not dwarf the tree; cutting propagation or seed propagation doesn’t achieve the same size control or predictability.