ISHS Acta Horticulturae 800: X International Pear Symposium
INFLUENCE OF THE ROOTSTOCK EMLA–C ON THE GROWTH AND PRODUCTION OF 'ROCHA' PEAR UNDER DIFFERENT RAISING METHODS – TWENTY YEARS OF RESULTS |
| Authors: | A. Santos, R.S. Ribeiro, R. Castro, A. Silva, J.L. Lousada |
| Keywords: | Pyrus communis, yield efficiency, dwarfing, production, pear cultivars |
| Abstract:
Trunk girth and yield of the pear cv. Rocha were recorded during twenty years in a trial located at a representative site in the main Portuguese pear production area (Caldas da Rainha). The rootstock was the EMLA-C quince selection, and nursery treatments at tree raising for the trial orchard were: cutting lengths (E) of 20, 23 and 26 cm, corresponding to 1 (e1), 2 (e2) or 3 (e3) buds clear of the soil surface, cutting deshooting (Q) in late summer prior to budding (q2) or after, in the dormant period (q1), type (B/G) and height (X) of budding/grafting (x1 = G, 5 cm; x2 = B, 5 cm; x3 = G, 30 cm), and severity of scion heading-back (T) at tree transplantation to the orchard, with t1, t2, t3 and t4 levels corresponding to 0, terminal bud, 1/3 or 2/3 removal of the scion. Trees on rootstock cuttings of 23 cm and with 2 buds clear of the soil surface grew and yielded more than the ones derived from longer or shorter cuttings. Dormant rootstock deshooting always induced stronger growth and higher production than summer deshooting. Low-grafted trees were less vigorous and more productive than the low or high-budded ones. Low-grafting on winter-deshooted rootstocks proved to be the best partnership for moderate growth and high fruit production, the worst having been high-budding on summer-deshooted rootstocks. Unpruned or 1/3 headed-back scions at orchard plantation proved to reduce crown growth less and to be more productive than the removal of the terminal bud or of 2/3 of the scion. The most intense heading-back had an effect similarly lasting but less depressing on tree growth as high-budding, and a negative impact on fruit production, mainly in the first five years. | |
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