A Comparison Study of the Effects of M.9 and Seedling Rootstocks on Two Iranian Cultivars, Golab Kohanz and Shafiabadi

Abstract

The main aim of this study was to investigate the effects of two apple rootstocks (M9 and Seedling) on the growth, total yield, fruit quality and mineral composition in leaves and fruits of two Iranian cultivars Golab Kohanz and Shafiabadi. The 10-year-old experimented trees were on stage of commercial cropping. The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete-block design in split plot tests with two factors and four replications.The effects of rootstocks on trunk diameter, current seasonal shoot length, primary fruit set percentage, total yield/ha and individual fruit weight were significant (P < 0.01) in first year, but not significant on total yield and individual fruit weight in the second year. The effect of cultivar was only significant at current seasonal shoot length in the first year and total yield and individual fruit weight in both years. Fruit characters were also affected by rootstock, so fruit on M9 rootstock had more flesh firmness, most PH, TSS, and dry matter, but the effect of cultivars was not significant on fruit quality characters in both years. Cultivar Shafiabadi on M9 rootstock produced the highest yield/ha in all treatment combinations. The results of mineral analysis relieved the effects of rootstock on N and Zn concentration in leaves. Golab Kohanz/M9 rootstock showed the highest K content in leaves while the highest Zn amount was Golab Kohanz/Seedling rootstock. Other nutrient contents were affected neither by rootstocks nor cultivars. In fruit, rootstock effect on Mg and P concentration was significant; and the highest K content was found in fruit of Golab Kohanz/M9 and the highest Mg and Ca amount was also recorded in Golab Kohamz/Seedling rootstock.