ISHS Acta Horticulturae 1020: VI International Cherry Symposium
ROOTSTOCK AND PLANT SPACING INFLUENCE SWEET CHERRY GROWTH AND YIELD, UNDER DIFFERENT SOIL AND WATER CONDITIONS |
| Authors: | A. Santos, J. Cavalheiro, R. Santos-Ribeiro, J.L. Lousada |
| Keywords: | Prunus avium, cultivars, planting density, intensive systems, training, water stress |
| DOI: | 10.17660/ActaHortic.2014.1020.68 |
| Abstract:
Sweet cherry growth and yield at four spacings were evaluated at two locations in Portugal: C. Montenegro (CM) and Portela, Vila Real (VR). The trial includes the cultivars ‘Skeena’ and ‘Sweetheart’ and the rootstocks ‘Edabriz’, ‘Gisela 5’ and ‘Maxma 14’. Between-row spacing is about five meters, in-row tree spacings were 70, 140, 210 and 280 cm, corresponding to approximate densities of 2,600, 1,300, 860 and 650 trees ha-1. The ANOVAs were carried on the values of the tree trunk cross-sectional area (TCSA), individual cumulative yield and overall productivity. From the 2nd year significant differences in growth were recorded by rootstock, location and plant spacing. Rootstock influenced plant growth the most in both places, accounting for 60% of the total expected variance at the 7th leaf. Trial location was responsible for 17% of the TCSA variance, and 68% of the cumulative yield total variance; the trees at CM grew 1.6 and yielded 3.7 times more than at VR, and overall yield efficiencies reached 0.46 and 0.21 kg cm-2, respectively. The trees on ‘Maxma 14’ averaged 64 cm2 of TCSA, 59% and 223% more than on ‘Edabriz’ and on ‘Gisela 5’, respectively. Tree spacing affected growth, beginning in the 2nd leaf at the highest densities, and in subsequent years at lower densities. A maximum of 33% TCSA reduction was observed at the 7th leaf on the tallest trees at the highest density (2,600 trees ha-1), whereas the weakest were reduced by only 20%. | |
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