ISHS Acta Horticulturae 658: I International Symposium on Rootstocks for Deciduous Fruit Tree Species
EVALUATION OF ROOTSTOCK VVA-1 WITH THE PLUM CULTIVARS 'OPAL', 'AVALON' AND 'EXCALIBUR' |
| Authors: | J.M.T. Balkhoven-Baart, F.M. Maas |
| Keywords: | Prunus x domestica, plum, prune, rootstock, VVA-1, Ferlenain, Pixy, St. Julien-A |
| Abstract:
In two rootstock trials the Russian rootstock VVA-1 was evaluated for use as a dwarfing rootstock for plum under Dutch conditions. From 1994 to 2000, a rootstock trial was carried out with Opal at the former Fruit Research Station at Wilhelminadorp. Rootstock VVA-1 was compared with the standard rootstock St. Julien-A. Planting distance was 4 x 2 m. Four production years were recorded. 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 at 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. Until 2001, production (kg/tree) and fruit weight (g) of Avalon and Excalibur on St. Julien-A were 6.7 and 52, and 3.0 and 79, respectively. On VVA-1 these figures were 16.8 and 50 for Avalon and 8.5 and 78 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 the summer of 2002 no trees on VVA-1 were lost. | |
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