ISHS Acta Horticulturae 65: Symposium on High Density Planting
A BED SYSTEM OF PLANTING APPLES ON THE DWARFING ROOTSTOCK M.27 |
| Author: | A.P. Preston |
| Abstract:
Results are presented from two bed plantings with Cox's Orange Pippin and James Grieve as pollinator, and Cox with Golden Delicious as pollinator, using the dwarfing M.27 rootstock. Trees in the first bed were set 0.5 m apart in rows 1.5 m apart. In the second bed rows were 1.5 m apart and a range of tree spacings from 0.5 m to 2.5 m were used. The trees were deblossomed after planting. High yields from Cox (24 t/ha) and Golden Delicious (55 t/ha) were secured the second summer after planting. Although crops per tree were heavier at 1.0 m apart they failed to equal those at 0.5 m apart per hectare at three years. The total crop from Golden Delicious was three times that of Cox. Time taken to prune trees reached a peak the third winter, reducing thereafter. Occasional branch thinning and spur shortening increased pruning time. No pruning was required on James Grieve trees after the fifth year. The results are discussed in relation to commercial possibilities for a bed system on M.27. | |
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