Table 1 Shoot length (SL), root length (RL), number of primary roots (NPR), number of secondary roots (NSR), number of total roots (NTR), fresh-shoot biomass (FSB), and fresh-root biomass (FRB) of micropropagated Marubakaido apple rootstock during in vitro rooting

Control with synthetic IAA

2.4 ± 0.3 a

10.6 ± 3.7 b

5.3 ± 2.0 a

3.9 ± 1.7 a

9.2 ± 3.8 a

88.3 ± 17.5 a

31.4 ± 9.3 a

Dead rhizobia

EEL0210 ^S

2.4 ± 0.3 a

7.4 ± 2.6 c

4.4 ± 1.7 a

4.0 ± 1.7 a

8.4 ± 3.4 a

72.0 ± 14.3 b

19.1 ± 5.6 b

EEL16110 ^S

2.5 ± 0.3 a

9.0 ± 3.1 b

3.6 ± 1.4 a

4.2 ± 1.8 a

7.7 ± 3.1 a

84.7 ± 16.8 a

21.8 ± 6.4 b

EEL16010B ^S

2.9 ± 0.3 a

13.6 ± 4.7 a

5.4 ± 2.1 a

5.4 ± 2.4 a

9.8 ± 4.0 a

94.3 ± 18.7 a

32.7 ± 9.6 a

EEL37810 ^S

2.5 ± 0.3 a

9.4 ± 3.3 b

4.3 ± 1.6 a

2.9 ± 1.3 a

7.1 ± 2.9 b

89.3 ± 17.7 a

18.1 ± 5.3 b

Living rhizobia

EEL0210 ^L

2.7 ± 0.3 a

3.3 ± 1.1 c

1.1 ± 0.4 b

2.7 ± 1.2 a

3.9 ± 1.6 b

58.2 ± 11.5 b

7.6 ± 2.2 c

EEL16110 ^L

2.6 ± 0.3 a

5.7 ± 2.0 c

1.9 ± 0.7 b

3.2 ± 1.4 a

5.1 ± 2.1 b

64.1 ± 12.7 b

11.0 ± 3.2 c

EEL16010B ^L

2.6 ± 0.3 a

13.1 ± 4.5 a

4.8 ± 1.8 a

6.1 ± 2.7 a

10.9 ± 4.5 a

100.6 ± 19.9 a

27.1 ± 8.0 a

EEL37810 ^L

2.5 ± 0.3 a

10.3 ± 3.6 b

4.2 ± 1.6 a

4.8 ± 2.1 a

9.0 ± 3.7 a

91.9 ± 18.2 a

17.6 ± 5.2 b

Control without synthetic IAA

2.6 ± 0.3 a

6.7 ± 2.3 b

3.0 ± 1.1 b

3.6 ± 1.6 a

6.6 ± 2.7 b

85.7 ± 17.0 a

13.0 ± 3.8 c