G.202 will produce trees similar in height to M.26, but in areas where woolly aphid is a problem, G.202 is the best choice. This rootstock is slightly less productive than others in the Geneva series, but it has the trademark Geneva disease resistance: it is resistant to fireblight and crown rot, and it is tolerant of replant disease. Roots will have good anchorage, but we recommend additional support. Burr knots are not common, and suckering is minimal.

Cornell recommends this stock for high-density processing orchards or for Red Delicious plantings. It is also useful in stressful climates like California, Utah, Colorado or Chihuahua. In more traditional climates like NY and with good soils, Cornell recommends high-density planting at 3.5-5' x 12-13' (1037-838 trees/acre) for fresh fruit cultivars, and at 4.0-4.5' x 13-14' (838-745 trees/acre) for processing cultivars.

The resistance of G.202 to woolly aphid was discovered by a team of researchers from New Zealand and Brazil. At the urging of nurseryman Andy McGuire, Dr. Cummins released the rootstock to meet the urgent need for a WAA-resistant stock in the Southern Hemisphere. G.202 is a cross of Malling 27 and Robusta 5.