Apple Rootstock Info: MM.106 EMLA

Selected in 1932 from a cross of M.2 x ‘Northern Spy’ by the John Innes Horticultural Institute and the East Malling Research Station in England. MM.106 EMLA is a semi-dwarf rootstock, producing a tree about 60% the size of seedling. It is quite precocious and productive and usually does not need tree support. It is resistant to wooly apple aphid, but is highly susceptible to crown and root rots, susceptible to fire blight, and is hypersensitive to tomato ring spot virus. When used with ‘Delicious’ and some other cultivars tomato ringspot virus can cause a hypersensitive reaction called “brown line necrosis” and trees decline in vigor and die. MM.106 EMLA should not be planted on wet sites due to crown and root rot problems. Trees produce few burr knots and root suckers. This rootstock has been grown widely throughout North America since the 1960s and may be a good choice for home gardens with well-drained soils and space for semi-dwarf trees, but its use is declining for commercial orchardists who are interested in smaller trees with fewer disease problems.