In our country, the cultivation area for apple orchards is 200 hectares. However, according to agricultural experts in order to rebuild the worn and old orchards it is necessary to take actions in the coming years. The average apple production in the Iranian orchards is about 16 Tons per Hectare, whereas, the average apple production in the world is about 32 Tons per Hectare (Figs 1 & 2). Therefore, it was important to offer solutions which could increase the yield of apple orchards. In this regard and at the request of the Deputy of Horticulture of the Ministry of Agriculture Jihad a strategic program was developed at Agricultural Biotechnological Research Institute of Iran (ABRII). Protocol for Mass propagations of two important apple rootstocks (MM 106 & MM111) were prepared. The technology was transferred to three private sectors where they started mass propagation of healthy apple rootstocks in order to meet the requirements of the orchards (Fig 3). 

Research Achievements:

• Micropropagation protocols for Malling –Merton (111 & 106) Apple Rootstocks
• Technology Transfer to three private companies

Advantages of the Technology:

• Production of about 800000 rootstocks annually by the private companies
• Increasing apple production from 16 Tons per Hectare to 32 Tons per Hectare without increase the cultivation area
• Increasing energy efficiency and water
• Creating disease-free orchards and thereby reducing pesticide
• Creating genetically uniform orchards, which makes it easy to carry out pruning and mechanical harvesting