HIGH DENSITY PLANTING IN ROMANIA

The trials conducted at the Fruit Growing Research Station, Voinesti on a 5 hectare plot, included such varieties as Golden Delicious, Golden Spur, Jonathan, Starkrimson and Wellspur on M.9, M.7 and MM.106 rootstocks, at densities ranging between 3333 and 6666 trees/hectare, planted in single rows or in 2-, 3- and 4-row systems. The trees were trained on an arched trellis (Lepage).

After 4 years of growth, the fruiting hedge was between 1.40 and 1.60 m high and 1 m wide. The trees began to bear fruits in the second year after planting and the yields ranged between 10 and 20 t/ha depending on variety.

In the fourth year after planting, Golden Delicious, Jonathan and Goldjon at a density of 6666 trees/hectare yielded 79.4, 47.9 and 35.4 t/ha, respectively. The average yield from Golden Delicious on M.9 over the first 3 years of cropping was 52 t/ha.

The results obtained in the trials and in practice are in favour of the general application of the high density planting system initially for apple and pear.

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