The Mechanism of Graft Compatibility: Mineral Element Synergy in a Pluot-Apricot System

Authors

  • Miansen Lei College of Horticulture and Forestry, Tarim University, Alar, Xinjiang, PR China; National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of High Efficiency and Superior Quality Cultivation and Fruit Deep Processing Technology on Characteristic Fruit Trees, Alar, Xinjiang, PR China Author
  • Yongqiang Huang College of Horticulture and Forestry, Tarim University, Alar, Xinjiang, PR China; National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of High Efficiency and Superior Quality Cultivation and Fruit Deep Processing Technology on Characteristic Fruit Trees, Alar, Xinjiang, PR China Author
  • Tianfa Guo College of Horticulture and Forestry, Tarim University, Alar, Xinjiang, PR China; National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of High Efficiency and Superior Quality Cultivation and Fruit Deep Processing Technology on Characteristic Fruit Trees, Alar, Xinjiang, PR China Author
  • Ming Wang Xinjiang Academy of Forestry, Urumqi, Xinjiang, PR China Author
  • Xinjian Wang College of Horticulture and Forestry, Tarim University, Alar, Xinjiang, PR China; National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of High Efficiency and Superior Quality Cultivation and Fruit Deep Processing Technology on Characteristic Fruit Trees, Alar, Xinjiang, PR China Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47363/JLSRR/2026(4)148

Keywords:

Correlation Analysis, Graft Union, Ionic Homeostasis, Nutrient Transport, Principal Component Analysis, Vegetative Growth

Abstract

‘Dinosaur Egg’ (Prunus domestica × P. armeniaca Konglongdan) pluot grafted onto Siberian apricot (Armeniaca sibirica (L.) Lam.) rootstocks exhibited incompatibility symptoms five years post-grafting, including leaf yellowing, abnormal swelling at the graft union, growth retardation, and weakened tree vigor. These symptoms led to plant breakage under high winds, causing significant economic losses in agricultural production. However, research on graft compatibility in ‘Dinosaur Egg’ remains limited. This study therefore investigates mineral element dynamics by quantifying twelve elements - nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), boron (B), molybdenum (Mo), and sodium (Na) - in rootstocks and scions of compatible and incompatible graft combinations. Through significance analysis, correlation analysis, and principal component analysis, this study investigates the relationship between the mineral element content of rootstock–scion and the graft compatibility in ‘Dinosaur Egg’ pluot. Results demonstrated that in compatible ‘Dinosaur Egg’ graft combinations, concentrations of metal cations (K, Ca, Mg) and trace elements (Cu, Zn) were significantly higher than in incompatible combinations. Elements exhibited predominantly positive correlations, with only Cu and Mo forming an antagonistic pair, collectively establishing a stable “Cu-core + multi-element synergy” network. Conversely, incompatible combinations showed abnormal elevations in N, P, Fe, Mo, and Na concentrations, with disordered elemental associations forming a discordant “Mo-Na localized synergy + Na-K antagonistic pair” pattern. Principal component analysis revealed clear separation between compatible and incompatible combinations along PC1 and PC2 dimensions. Reduced compatibility likely contributes to excessive N and P accumulation in scions and impaired transport of K, Fe, and Cu.

Author Biographies

  • Miansen Lei, College of Horticulture and Forestry, Tarim University, Alar, Xinjiang, PR China; National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of High Efficiency and Superior Quality Cultivation and Fruit Deep Processing Technology on Characteristic Fruit Trees, Alar, Xinjiang, PR China

    College of Horticulture and Forestry, Tarim University, Alar, Xinjiang, PR China; National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of High Efficiency and Superior Quality Cultivation and Fruit Deep Processing Technology on Characteristic Fruit Trees, Alar, Xinjiang, PR China

  • Yongqiang Huang, College of Horticulture and Forestry, Tarim University, Alar, Xinjiang, PR China; National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of High Efficiency and Superior Quality Cultivation and Fruit Deep Processing Technology on Characteristic Fruit Trees, Alar, Xinjiang, PR China
    College of Horticulture and Forestry, Tarim University, Alar, Xinjiang, PR China; National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of High Efficiency and Superior Quality Cultivation and Fruit Deep Processing Technology on Characteristic Fruit Trees, Alar, Xinjiang, PR China  
  • Tianfa Guo, College of Horticulture and Forestry, Tarim University, Alar, Xinjiang, PR China; National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of High Efficiency and Superior Quality Cultivation and Fruit Deep Processing Technology on Characteristic Fruit Trees, Alar, Xinjiang, PR China
    College of Horticulture and Forestry, Tarim University, Alar, Xinjiang, PR China; National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of High Efficiency and Superior Quality Cultivation and Fruit Deep Processing Technology on Characteristic Fruit Trees, Alar, Xinjiang, PR China
  • Ming Wang, Xinjiang Academy of Forestry, Urumqi, Xinjiang, PR China

    Xinjiang Academy of Forestry, Urumqi, Xinjiang, PR China

  • Xinjian Wang, College of Horticulture and Forestry, Tarim University, Alar, Xinjiang, PR China; National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of High Efficiency and Superior Quality Cultivation and Fruit Deep Processing Technology on Characteristic Fruit Trees, Alar, Xinjiang, PR China

    Xinjian Wang, College of Horticulture and Forestry, Tarim University, Alar, Xinjiang, PR China; National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of High Efficiency and Superior Quality Cultivation and Fruit Deep Processing Technology on Characteristic Fruit Trees, Alar, Xinjiang, PR China.

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Published

2026-01-27

Issue

Vol. 4 No. 1 (2026): Volume 4 Issue 1

Section

Articles