ISHS Acta Horticulturae 577: VII International Symposium on Plum and Prune Genetics, Breeding and Pomology
EVALUATION OF ROOTSTOCK VVA-1 WITH THE PLUM CULTIVARS 'OPAL', 'AVALON' AND 'EXCALIBUR' |
| Authors: | J.M.T. Balkhoven-Baart, H. Kemp |
| Keywords: | plum, prune, rootstock, VVA-1, 'St Julien A', Prunus domestica |
| Abstract:
In two rootstock trials the Russian rootstock VVA-1 was evaluated for use as a dwarfing plum rootstock under Dutch conditions. From 1994 to 2000, a rootstock trial was carried out with ‘Opal’ at the former Fruit Research Station in Wilhelminadorp. Rootstock VVA-1 was compared with standard rootstock ‘St Julien A’. Planting distance was 4 x 2 m. Four production years were registered. Cumulative production per tree of ‘St Julien A’ was 20.1 kg with 565 fruits, production of VVA-1 was 19.8 kg with 522 fruits. Fruit weight was 39.2 and 38.8 g respectively. The union of ‘Opal’ on VVA-1 appeared to be good after cutting the trees. In a second trial, planted in spring 1997 in Randwijk, VVA-1 is being compared with ‘St Julien A’ both grafted with the cultivars ‘Avalon’ and ‘Excalibur’. Planting distance was 3.5 x 2 m. Flowering and production on VVA-1 were better than on ‘St Julien A’ with both cultivars. The flowers opened a few days earlier on ‘St Julien A’ than on VVA-1. Production (kg/tree) and fruit weight (g) of ‘Avalon’ and ‘Excalibur’ on ‘St Julien A’ were 1.7 and 53, and 1.0 and 76, respectively. On VVA-1 these figures were 5.2 and 48 for ‘Avalon’ and 5.3 and 72 for ‘Excalibur’. Shoot growth on VVA-1 was less than on ‘St Julien A’. The mineral content of the leaves was lower for P, K, Ca, Mg and Fe. Until autumn 2001 no trees were lost. | |
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