ISHS Acta Horticulturae 795: V International Cherry Symposium
IMPROVEMENT OF INTENSIVE SWEET CHERRY PRODUCTION USING PHYTOTECHNICAL METHODS |
| Author: | K. Király |
| Keywords: | Prunus avium, super spindle, summer pruning |
| Abstract:
Quality-focused and environmentally-friendly fruit production requires the establishment of smaller sized trees and high density orchards for almost every fruit tree species. By applying smaller crown sizes and intensive growing techniques, many advantages can be identified compared to extensive orchards. Also, training/pruning and harvest work can be performed more effectively and efficiently. Fruit quality parameters and the effectiveness of plant protection techniques are improved. The smaller crown size makes the application of certain technologies (e.g., crop safety: hail, rain, bird netting) more feasible, resulting in an increase in productivity. The introduction of smaller trees poses a particularly great challenge to sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) production. Trials of dwarfing rootstocks have not yet been successful; therefore, we have used ‘Mahaleb’ (P. mahaleb L.) rootstocks, which are well-adapted to the Hungarian environment and also impart the stronger growth necessary for regeneration of reproductive wood within the canopy. At the research garden of the University of Debrecen in Pallag, we planted 21 sweet cherry cultivars on ‘CT500’ mahaleb rootstock, at 4 x 1 m spacing, in the spring of 2000. This study demonstrated the possibility, in terms of growth, bud and fruit formation, of developing and maintaining super spindle tree architecture through repeated summer pruning. Based on these parameters, we determined which cultivars should be recommended and which were obtainable for the application of intensive technologies. | |
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