The M200 rootstock (C.O.V. in progress) originates from a cross between Robusta 5 (an apple tree resistant to cold, fire blight, and phytophthora) and Ottawa 3 (a Canadian selection resistant to cold). It originates from the East Malling Research Station program in England, for which Dalival / IFO is the worldwide distributor and responsible for trial implementation and commercial development.

Tolerant to phytophthora, the M200 also demonstrates good resistance to fire blight and excellent performance against soil fatigue and in poor soil conditions as issues and constraints related to replanting remain a major concern across Europe.

Its greatest advantage is its vigor, which surpasses M9 and G11 rootstocks, along with a production level that is 20% to 35% higher than M9. As a result, the M200 is well-suited for double-axis or multi-axis orchard systems, thanks to the vigor required for these technical methods.

It also meets the needs of producers in organic farming or conversion, who seek rootstocks that are both more vigorous and more productive than those currently available.

Finally, the M200 produces very few suckers and burr knots, a significant advantage for orchardists due to the reduced availability of herbicides and insecticides.

These added benefits have been confirmed by numerous European research stations, validating the five decades of study required before the commercial launch of this rootstock. This timeframe, standard in the rootstock industry, highlights how rare innovations like the M200 are in varietal selection.