ISHS Acta Horticulturae 732: VIII International Symposium on Canopy, Rootstocks and Environmental Physiology in Orchard Systems
PRELIMINARY RESULTS ON PLANTING SYSTEM AND DENSITY TRIALS IN APPLE |
| Author: | I.V. Platon |
| Keywords: | training system, high density, rootstocks |
| Abstract:
This paper presents the results of trials carried out in an apple orchard situated in the Bistrita fruit growing region of Romania. Within trials, we studied the influence of different densities, tree training system and rootstocks on tree growth and yield. We used semidwarf rootstock M.26 and dwarf M.9 at two densities: 1666 trees/ha and 2500 trees/ha. Trials were conducted on the cultivars 'Auriu of Bistrita' and 'Florina' grafted on M.9 trained in a V system and 'Florina' and 'Generos' grafted on M.26 trained as slender spindles. All the trees were planted in spring 2000. Since the second year after planting, trees were drip irrigated. Early results obtained show that mean shoot growth and canopy volume per tree were smaller when they had higher densities compared to lower densities. Flower buds were present in the second year after planting, but the yield per tree was poor, ranging from 1.1 to 2.7 kg/tree. Beginning the third growing season, the fruit yield was better correlated with tree density. In the fourth year after planting, the yields per hectare ranged from 8.9 t/ha ('Florina'/M.26/spindle slender; 1666 trees/ha) to 15 t/ha ('Florina'/M.9/V system; 2500 trees/ha) and from 10.8 t/ha ('Auriu of Bistrita'/M.9/V system; 1666 trees/ha) to 13.5 t/ha ('Auriu of Bistrita'/M.9/V system; 2500 trees/ha). Cumulative yield per hectare for all the four years and for all cultivars was the greatest at a density of 2500 trees per hectare. | |
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