Stable reproduction of a superior variety

Shorten time to flower and fruit if mature tissue used for propagation

Reduce problems with seed production, storage, and germination

♦ Recalcitrance and chilling

Many woody fruit species are propagated by grafting or budding onto seedling or clonal rootstock (e.g., 'Gala' on M9)

Clonal propagation on own roots eliminates graft incompatibility problems