Fazio and his Cornell partners analyzed genetic markers in two populations of rootstocks that had been studied and characterized for more than seven years to see if genes associated with certain markers play a role in dwarfing, early bearing and fruit productivity. Dwarfing produces trees that are smaller, increasing yields per acre. Early bearing reduces the wait required for a young tree to begin producing fruit. In recent years, Geneva rootstocks have reduced the time from five to two years.