How Ronald Hatton's Rootstock Research Transformed Global Orchards
Imagine biting into a crisp, juicy apple. What you're unlikely to imagine is the hidden foundation that made that perfect fruit possible—the rootstock beneath the surface. A century ago, orchards were chaotic, with trees growing to unpredictable sizes and producing inconsistent fruit. This all changed thanks to the groundbreaking work of Sir Ronald Hatton and his team at the East Malling Research Station in England, whose systematic approach to rootstock classification revolutionized fruit cultivation worldwide. Their work, which began simply to bring order to nursery confusion, ultimately reshaped agricultural landscapes and boosted global food production through scientific rigor.
71
Rootstock Varieties Collected
27
Standardized Rootstocks
Before the 20th century, commercial fruit growers faced significant challenges in orchard management. Most apple trees were grown on seedling rootstocks, which resulted in enormous variation between trees—even when the same variety was being grown. These trees grew tall and unwieldy, often reaching heights that required long ladders for harvesting, making the work dangerous and labor-intensive. Yields were inconsistent, and orchardists could never be certain what to expect from one tree to the next.
By 1870, Victorian orchard specialist Thomas Rivers listed no less than 14 different versions of Paradise rootstock in his catalogue alone 4 . This taxonomic confusion made it nearly impossible for growers to consistently select the right rootstock for their specific conditions and needs.
The transformation began in 1913 with the establishment of the Wye College Fruit Experiment Station in Kent, England, which would later become the East Malling Research Station. When Captain R. Wellington, the first director, left for military service, the position was taken over by Ronald Hatton, a recent agricultural student from Wye College.
Establishment of Wye College Fruit Experiment Station with support from local fruit growers.
Ronald Hatton takes over leadership and begins systematic rootstock classification.
Hatton and his team identify nine promising rootstock varieties and rename them using Roman numerals (M I-IX).
Through careful assessment, Hatton and his assistant Jesse Amos discovered that many supposedly different rootstocks were actually identical, merely bearing different regional names. They evaluated each rootstock based on several key characteristics: ability to control tree size, ease of propagation, and effect on productivity of the grafted scion 4 .
| Rootstock Name | Original Common Name | Dwarfing Characteristics | Historical Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| M I | English Paradise | Semi-dwarfing | Known as 'Doucin', first described in 1519 |
| M II | English Paradise | Semi-dwarfing | More vigorous than French varieties |
| M VIII | French Paradise | Dwarfing | Popular dwarfing stock before classification |
| M IX | Jaune de Metz | Very dwarfing | Chance seedling discovered in Metz, France in 1879 |
The research conducted at East Malling represented a perfect marriage of horticulture and statistical science. While Ronald Fisher at the Rothamsted Research Station was developing revolutionary statistical methods for agricultural research, Thomas Noel Hoblyn—a statistician who studied with Fisher—joined East Malling and introduced these rigorous methods to fruit tree research.
Adopted randomized layouts with sufficient replication to obtain unbiased estimates
Designed experiments to test multiple hypotheses simultaneously
Grouped trees into blocks based on soil characteristics to account for field variation
These methodological advances transformed rootstock trials from simple observations into rigorously controlled experiments capable of producing reliable, scientifically valid results that growers could trust 2 .
Among all the rootstocks classified at East Malling, one would stand out as truly revolutionary: M9. This rootstock, derived from the 'Jaune de Metz' variety, proved to offer the ideal balance of dwarfing characteristics, productivity, and fruit quality.
2x
More Trees Per Hectare
50%
Labor Cost Reduction
18M
Additional Tonnes of Apples
70M
Hours of Picking Time Saved
East Malling researchers estimated that between 1920 and 1960, their rootstock research—with M9 at the forefront—provided 18 million tonnes of additional apples globally while saving 70 million hours of picking time 4 . The M9 rootstock quickly became the global standard for commercial apple production, a position it maintains to this day in many growing regions.
Hatton's vision extended beyond England's borders. He recognized that while the Malling rootstocks worked well in climates similar to Britain's, they might not succeed in regions with extreme temperatures or different pest pressures.
In partnership with the John Innes Research Station, East Malling developed the Malling-Merton (MM) series of rootstocks with resistance to the aphid, quickly adopting them in affected regions 4 .
The research expanded to include other fruit trees. East Malling released rootstocks for pears (Quince A and Quince C), plums (Myrobalan, Brompton, and St. Julian A), and cherries (Colt, Cob, and Charger).
| Research Material/Method | Function in Rootstock Research | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Clonal Propagation | Ensures genetic identicality of rootstocks | Eliminated variation from seedling rootstocks, enabling fair comparisons |
| Randomized Block Design | Controls for field variation in experiments | Provided statistically valid results from field trials |
| Factorial Experiments | Tests multiple factors simultaneously | Revealed interactions between rootstocks, scions, and soil types |
| T-test and Analysis of Variance | Statistical analysis of experimental data | Distinguished true treatment effects from random variation |
| Rhizotron Studies | Observation of root system architecture | Advanced understanding of how dwarfing rootstocks function underground |
Ronald Hatton led the East Malling Research Station for three decades, overseeing its growth from a modest 22-acre plot to a 363-acre international research center. His contributions were recognized with numerous honors, including the Victoria Medal of Honour from the Royal Horticultural Society, appointment as a Commander of the British Empire, a knighthood upon his retirement in 1949, and election as a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1944—rare distinctions for a horticultural scientist 4 .
Brought order from chaos with standardized rootstock classification
Set new standards for horticultural research with statistical rigor
Increased efficiency and productivity in global food production
The next time you bite into an apple, consider the hidden half of the tree—the rootstock beneath the soil—and the scientific revolution that made it possible. From the orderly orchards of Kent to fruit-growing regions worldwide, Ronald Hatton's systematic approach to understanding rootstocks continues to support the branches heavy with fruit that we enjoy today. His work stands as a powerful testament to how basic scientific research—classifying, comparing, and carefully observing—can transform an industry and leave a legacy that endures for generations 4 .