APPLE ROOTSTOCKS
Mark

SIZE CLASS 2-3 (highly variable)

Mark (MAC.9, Michigan Apple Clone 9)



Pedigree

Open pollinated seedling

 

Precocity

Similar to M.9

Productivity

Highly productive in the appropriate sites with careful management

Scion Fruit Size

Comparable to M.9
Scion Fruit Quality Good, high coloring

Anchorage

Requires support, very strong support when planted with triploid scion cultivars due to poor graft union strength. With most scions MARK is better anchored than M.9.

Fire blight

Susceptible

Crown & Root Rots

Tolerant, further testing required

Woolly Apple Aphid

Susceptible

Powdery Mildew

 

Hardiness (Midwinter)

 
Bud Break  
Leaf Fall  

Suckering

Moderate / variable - see observations

Burrknots

Extreme / variable - see observations

Stoolbed Performance

 

Virus hypersensitivities

Requires testing

Experience

MARK has been planted in North America recently on a moderate and decreasing scale.

Sources

Treco, Meadow Lake, Cummins

Strains

MARK is a virus free selection of MAC 9.

Observations, suspicions, history

Root Mass Proliferation (RMP) is the name of the syndrome often observed in older trees on Mark. RMP is a tumorous swelling at the ground line or belowground that is often observed in this rootstock, and accounts for its highly variable performance both within and between orchards. RMP often results in a lack of uniformity in fields. Mark is also particularly drought sensitive, and irrigation is recommended even in areas where it is usually considered optional. On the proper site Mark can be a very productive rootstock, as numerous Michigan growers have experienced. Overcropping on young trees must be avoided to prevent "runting out" - permanent loss of vigor from the trees. Mark is particularly sensitive to fire blight.

 

 

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Last modified September 21, 1999.