Provence Quince BA 29C Rootstock

Provence Quince BA 29C Rootstock

Provence Quince BA 29C rootstock produces trees about 50-65% of a standard tree. Additionally it creates trees that are very productive and precocious. Moreover this rootstock is compatible with Cydonia quince scions. However, it is not compatible with all varieties of pears. In fact, while it is compatible with most European varieties, such as Anjou, Comice, Flemish Beauty and Swiss Bartlett, it not compatible with others such as Bartlett, Bosc, Seckel and Clapp. However you can still grow using an interstem such as Old Home and Hardy.

Moreover it has great disease resistance. For example, it is resistant to pear decline, crown gall, nematodes and root aphids. However it is susceptible to fire blight. Additionally it is more cold tolerant than Quince A and in general more tolerant than Quince A or Quince C. The Institute National de la Recherette Agronomique (INRA) in France produced this rootstock from its parent, the Cydonia oblongata.

What is a Rootstock?

The Provence Quince BA 29C rootstock is used for quince and pear trees. A rootstock controls the tree’s size, precocity, cold hardiness, and partly its disease resistance (such as fireblight). In order to grow a reliable and high quality fruit tree, growers graft the scion, which is above the ground and responsible for the fruit’s characteristics and disease resistance, onto the rootstock, which is underground.

Rootstock Selection

When choosing a rootstock, the selection considerations are

• how compatible the rootstock is to the scion
• how well the rootstocks adapts to the soil
• disease pressure on the site
• productivity
• precocity (bearing at a young age)
• how well the rootstock anchors
• what size tree is optimal for your site

Moreover, a rootstock that grows well in one location, may not grow well in another. In some cases, you may even want to plant a less vigorous tree since if you plant in ideal soil, you can control the tree’s height, reduce pruning costs, and maintain a high yield.

If you would like to have high-density plantings, you can choose a dwarf rootstock such as Quince. However, since Quince is not compatible with many varieties such as Bartlett, Bosc, Forelle, Packham, Triumph, Winter Nellis and Eldorado, you must use an interstock (intermediate graft section). If you can plant larger trees, you can use other semi-dwarf, semi-standard, or standard varieties such as the OHxF or any Bartlett seedling rootstock.

For Asian pears, Pyrus betulifolia or Horner is a very compatible rootstock. For European pears, the OHxF series, especially the OHxF 87 and 97 are great choices. Not only are they resistant to fire blight but they also produce healthy trees.

Size of Tree

• However, while a rootstock does affect the size of the tree at maturity, the variety of pear, the soil type, the amount of sun and the way the tree is pruned will also have a significant impact on the ultimate height.
• For example, Asian pear trees grown on Pyrus betulifolia rootstock will still be dwarf even though the Pyrus betulifolia seedling will grow to a standard size.
• Therefore, when you see below the height of the tree at maturity, remember that it is an approximate maximum.

For more information on pear tree rootstock see our article.