ISHS Acta Horticulturae 160: III International Symposium on Research and Development on Orchard and Plantation Systems
RESULTS OF A 10-YEAR TRIAL OF HIGH-DENSITY PLANTING OF MCINTOSH AND MACSPUR APPLE TREES |
| Authors: | A. Mika, M. Piatkowski |
| Abstract:
McIntosh and Macspur apple trees grafted on semi-dwarf M.7 and MM.106 rootstocks were planted in single- and double-row systems at densities of 740 and 1100 trees per hectare. The same cultivars on dwarf M.26 rootstock were planted in single-row, double-row, triple-row and 5-row bed systems at densities from 1900 to 3500 trees per hectare. Trees of both cultivars on M.26 appeared to be too vigorous for multiple-row systems and McIntosh trees on M.7 and MM.106 also for the double-row system. Mutual shading of densely-planted trees, insufficient illumination and tree competition suppressed tree growth, yield per tree, cropping efficiency and fruit quality. Cumulative yield per tree was inversely related to the number of trees per hectare. In spite of this Macspur trees planted at the highest density and McIntosh trees planted at medium density produced the highest yields per hectare. Fruits from densely-planted plots were large but were green and soft with a low content of soluble solids and calcium but a high content of nitrogen. They were liable to softening, weight loss, shrivelling and physiological disorders in store. Both cultivars on three rootstocks were too vigorous for multiple-row systems. | |
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