Cyanogenic glycosides and graft compatibility of Asian pear grafted onto Pyrus calleryana and P. betulifolia

Abstract

The objective of this work was to evaluate the levels of the cyanogenic glycosides amygdalin and prunasin in 13 Asian pear cultivars (Pyrus pyrifolia) grafted onto P. calleryana and P. betulifolia, as well as to verify their effects on graft compatibility. The experimental design was completely randomized with three replicates. The evaluated cultivars were: Ya li, Shinsui, Oku Sankichi, Hakucho, Nitaka, Shinseiki, Suisei, Choujuurou, Nijisseiki, Kousui, Housui, Kikusui, and Hakkou. The cyanogenic glycosides had no influence on graft compatibility and on the chlorophyll content of the combinations between cultivars and rootstocks. The concentration of cyanogenic glycosides is not an effective marker of graft incompatibility among the studied combinations.