Dwarfism in Fruit Plants: A Review

In this modern era, farmers are adopting high density planting (HDP) for most of the fruit crops. Dwarfing is based on the principle of making the optimal use of vertical and horizontal space per unit time and harnessing the highest potential returns per unit of inputs and natural resources. Dwarfing in fruit crops can be accomplished through a variety of methods, including the use of dwarfing rootstock, the selection of spur type scion cultivars, use of interstock, pruning, root pruning, various training systems, girdling, scoring, bark invasion and the application of growth retardants. One strategy for promoting early fruiting, less vigour and increasing production is to utilize dwarf root stocks. The mechanism underlying dwarfing involves anatomical, physiological and biochemical changes. It has been proposed that dwarfing rootstock or interstock control tree size by regulating the auxin that passes through the rootstock or interstock’s bark. Paclobutrazol retards growth, shoot elongation and reduced internodal length by inhibiting gibberellins synthesis. Dwarfness can be imparted by the using incompatible rootstock. Dwarfing can be induced by inducing viral infection, although, it is not commercially adopted. Recombinant DNA technology has recently expanded the gene pool that can be managed to cause dwarfism and maximize benefits in horticulture crops.