rootstock
/ˈrutˌstɑk/
noun
- A plant stem onto which another plant is grafted, used in gardening and agriculture.
- The rootstock determines how tall and strong the grafted plant will grow.
- The gardener chose a hardy rootstock for the apple tree to make it more resistant to disease.
- Many wine grapes are grown on American rootstock to protect against pests.
- The underground part of a plant, such as a rhizome, that stores food and produces new shoots.
- The rootstock of the iris spreads underground and sends up new leaves each spring.
- Farmers divide the rootstock of the ginger plant to grow more crops.
- Some weeds have a thick rootstock that is hard to remove completely.
- A basic source or foundation from which something develops.
- His family's traditions were the rootstock of his strong values.
- The ancient language served as the rootstock for many modern European languages.
- The company's early innovations became the rootstock for its later success.