protecting against liver damage. The variant of M. sieversii, Malus sieversii f. niedzwetzkyana, has been emphasized for the use of breeding red-fleshed apples since it has red flowers, fruit skin, and pulp; in addition to its high anthocyanin content. When breeding Malus sieversii f. niedzwetzkyana, it was found that light results in higher anthocyanin production than those bred in the dark. Hybrids of Malus sieversii have also been an interest for breeders of red-fleshed apples. Conservation Malus sieversii has been designated as second conservation priority in the China Plant Red Data Book, and has been marked as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Human activities and natural disasters are the major contributors to the decline of M. sieversii natural population. Fungal pathogens, such as Phytophthora plurivora and Alternaria alternata, also play a major role in the decline of M. sieversii populations, by degrading vegetative parts such as the fine root systems. This immune vulnerability makes M. sieversii become susceptible to more parasites, such as pathogenic insects Agrilus mali, to further destroy the population. Ex situ conservation, or seed banking, is believed to be a feasible long-term resolution to protect its genetic diversity, and has been seen in the United States using seeds collected from Kazakhstan and thee Kyrgyz Republic. In situ conservation was also found with barbed wire fences being placed around regions distributed with M. sieversii, as seen in areas within Xinyuan, China. A study in 2016 has shown the effectiveness of protecting M. sieversii populations in situ through stratification and seed coat removal. Also, in situ enclosures are more effective in higher elevations as they are at less risk of human and insect injuries. Aside from traditional conservation methods, biofertilizer has shown effective results inhibiting fungal pathogen, Alternaria alternata in wild apple trees. It does this by improving antioxidant capability of wild apple trees following the infection, promoting root growth and enhancing soil metabolism. Recently, a combination of innovative methods including cloning and plant hormone treatment has also shown effective results in regenerating wild apple populations. Wild apple trees were heavily lumbered for economical and agricultural uses in the mountains of Kazakhstan during the 1800s. Wild apple forests were turned into pastureland, which greatly changed the soil covering, and damaged young seedlings and roots. Prickly shrubs, such as eglantine and barberry exhibiting symbiotic relationships with wild apples by shielding them from predators were also