Abstract:
Four clonal rootstocks (P-HL C (6), P-HL A (84), Colt, MaxMa Delbard® 14) with five sweet cherry cultivars (Rivan, Burlat, Merton Premier, Büttner's Red, Hedelfingen) were investigated for growth, fruiting, tree decline, fruit weight and suckering.
Trees of the same cultivars grafted on Mazzard seedlings and clonal F 12/1 cherry were used as controls.
Tree vigour through 6 years after planting was restricted significantly by both P-HL rootstocks, more by C than A. Colt significantly increased tree size in three of four cultivars.
Tree vigour of 'Büttner's Red' was restricted by MaxMa Delbard 14 similarly to the P-HL rootstocks.
The cumulative yield and productivity index of trees on P-HL rootstocks was 3x higher than trees on Mazzard seedling and F 12/1. Trees of 'Büttner's Red' on MaxMa Delbard 14 were less precocious in the first 6 years than on P-HL rootstocks.
Colt had no effect on cumulative yield and productivity.
P-HL C like MaxMa Delbard 14, tended to decrease mean fruit weight.
Foliage of trees grafted on P-HL A rootstock had a healthier appearance than that of trees on P-HL C, some of which had slightly yellowish leaves.
These symptoms were not observed on P-HL A.
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