Detemination of the time of pruning regarding the ability of developing flower buds and their frost tolerance in sweet cherry varieties

B Vaszily

doi:10.31421/ijhs/16/4/915

Abstract

In sweet cherry growing, intense technology is introduced as the up to date development. Among the elements of the technology are the choice of variety, planting design and pruning are the main elements. The methods, intensity and the timing of pruning are largely dependent from the growing habits of the varieties, the light demand of the parts of different age and their tendency of getting bald on the aging zones. One of the main limiting factors of production, the frost damages are outstanding. In choosing the site of plantation, we must avoid the places, where spring frosts used to occur, the next moment is the role of the variety and the technology applied. In Hungary, the late or spring frosts are considered, however, the winter frosts may also cause heavy losses, which depend also on the health and nutritional condition of the trees when being exposed to temperature minima. Our present study is based on a 9-year-old plantation trained to slender spindle as well as to free spindle crown. We observed the development of fruiting structures and their frost damage also in relation with the timing of the pruning operations during the winter or summer, and compared also the varieties with each other.

Highlights

In the intensive growing technology, the morphology and growing and branching habits of the cherry varieties are decisive moments, which need adequate modifications of the elements of the technology
The planting density inceases, the concurrence in the root zone is high and weakens the growth; the density of the canopy could be moderated by summer pruning, which stimulates the development of flower buds and improves fruit quality
The induction of flower buds begins in cherry trees in May already, but the development is completed during the rest period, and depends largely on the length of the rest period and weather conditions between the end of December and early March (Lang, 2005)

Summary

Introduction

In the intensive growing technology, the morphology and growing and branching habits of the cherry varieties are decisive moments, which need adequate modifications of the elements of the technology. The planting density inceases, the concurrence in the root zone is high and weakens the growth; the density of the canopy could be moderated by summer pruning, which stimulates the development of flower buds and improves fruit quality. Summer pruning performed at the right time reduces the shoot growth and increases yield in vigorous trees (Gonda & Király, 2005; Gonda et al, 2007). A repeated summer pruning is able to prevent vigorous growth, and more flower buds are formed (Király, 2005). The induction of flower buds begins in cherry trees in May already, but the development is completed during the rest period, and depends largely on the length of the rest period and weather conditions between the end of December and early March (Lang, 2005)

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Results

Conclusion