ISHS Acta Horticulturae 795: V International Cherry Symposium
BUDDING HEIGHT IS SLIGHTLY EFFECTIVE FOR REDUCING SWEET CHERRY GROWTH |
| Authors: | A. Santos, R. Santos-Ribeiro, V. Cordeiro, A. Bento, J.L. Lousada |
| Keywords: | Prunus avium, Interspecific Hybrid Rootstocks, 'Gisela 5', 'Tabel Edabriz', 'Maxma 14', 'Cab 11E', Cultivars, Dwarfing, Tree Size Reduction |
| Abstract:
Budding height effect on sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) growth was investigated using several rootstocks. In 1997, a nursery trial was set up that included ‘Burlat’, ‘Summit’ and ‘Van’ sweet cherries budded onto ‘Edabriz’, ‘Gisela 5’ and ‘Maxma 14’ rootstocks at 10, 20 and 30 cm above soil level and onto ‘Cab 11E’ and ‘Mazzard’ (P. avium) seedlings at 10, 30 and 60 cm above soil level. With those trees, an orchard trial was established in 1999 in three locations of north-eastern Portugal. Trunk diameter was recorded at the 6th leaf (2003), and trunk cross-sectional area (TCSA) was calculated. Cherry tree growth varied with rootstock and budding level, but no significant differences were observed between cultivars. TCSA reduction on ‘Edabriz’, ‘Gisela 5’ and ‘Maxma 14’ was 28, 25 and 19%, respectively, when comparing budding at 10 and 30 cm. There was a reduction of 22% in the trees on ‘Cab 11E’, but only 5% on ‘Mazzard’, when comparing budding at 10 and 60 cm. Thus, by the 6th year, higher budding height decreased tree vigour in all locations and rootstocks, except ‘Cab 11E’, for which budding at 30 cm rather than 60 cm had a greater TCSA reduction (26%). Thus, budding height can contribute to control of tree cherry growth, helping to manage canopy size and crop accessibility. | |
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