ISHS Acta Horticulturae 732: VIII International Symposium on Canopy, Rootstocks and Environmental Physiology in Orchard Systems
EXAMINATION OF GROWTH OF CHERRY CULTIVARS ADAPTED TO INTENSIVE PRODUCTION |
| Authors: | I. Gonda, K. Király, I.J. Holb |
| Keywords: | Prunus avium L., cultivar, intensive fruit production, rootstock, summer pruning |
| Abstract:
Increasing the fruit production intensity requires that growth parameters of trees satisfy certain criteria. These criteria include appropriate vigour (growth characteristics) of the given rootstock-cultivar combination, sufficient reproductive development, and earliness and duration of fruit production. We compared the vegetative and reproductive characteristics of 21 cherry cultivars (clones and hybrids) in the third year after planting. The cherry plantation was planted in the spring of 2000 on Prunus mahaleb (C 500) rootstock at a spacing of 4 x 1 m. Shoots were pruned to half their length when they reached 0.35-0.40 m in length on average, and this pruning method was repeated during the growing season. We measured certain growth variables in a string spindle training system in order to determine if particular cultivar/rootstock combinations can be produced economically. The variables measured were branch density, thickness of the central axis, number of branchlets, bud density, and the proportion of flower bud clusters. There were great differences among cultivars in these variables, reflecting the very varied growth characteristics. About 25% of the cultivars examined suited the requirements. | |
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