PERFORMANCE OF SUNCREST AND STARK REDGOLD ESTABLISHED AT DIFFERENT DENSITIES

Forty trees in 4 blocks of 10 trees per replication were randomised for each variety.

Trees were trained as free spindles and were pruned both in winter and summer until they reached their full size (in the third year). After 1979 only winter pruning was carried out. The most important results arising from the data collected during the six years of production, are the following:-

1. In both cultivars production per tree was highest for the lowest density.
2. Although differences were small, the cumulative yields of the period 1978–1983 were higher for the highest density for both cultivars.

   Nevertheless, considering the higher costs entailed for the establishment of the orchard at the highest density (because of the number of maiden trees), the greater time required for summer and winter pruning and the difficulties in maintaining the trees in a balanced growth, distances of less than 1.5 m do not appear suitable for the area in which the trials were carried out.

3. No relevant effects of density on colour, soluble solid content or size of fruits were observed.

Download Adobe Acrobat Reader (free software to read PDF files)