Effect of Rootstocks on Growth and Yield of 'Carmen' ® Sweet Cherry

Abstract

Rootstock evaluation for sweet cherry is still important, especially for new cultivars, since there are specific reactions known in productivity. 'Carmen' is a new promising Hungarian sweet cherry cultivar of moderate vigor so there is a need of information on growth and yielding performance on different rootstocks. In 2001 rootstock trial was planted with 'Carmen' in high density conditions: spacing is 4x2 m and the trees are trained to Hungarian spindle. The following rootstocks are tested: Prunus mahaleb seedlings CEMA (C500), clonal P. mahaleb SL 64, Bogdany, Egervar, Magyar; interspecific hybrids: Colt, Brokgrow (MaxMa 97), P. cerasus CAB 11E. The orchard is planted on light sandy soil, lime content is around 2.5 %, pH 7.7 and the soil compactness index (KA) is 24. The climate is typical to the central Hungarian flatland, yearly average temperature is 11.3 C, total sunshine is 2079 hours in a year, and rainfall is 560 mm/year. The trial is planted in randomized blocks; one plot consists of three trees, repeated four times. Based on the results the rootstocks significantly affected the tree growth, the cumulative yield and the single fruit weight. Largest trees are grown on Prunus mahaleb seedling CEMA (C500), followed by Egervar, Bogdany, and SL 64. Trees are moderate vigorous on Magyar, CAB 11E, Colt and Korponay. Smallest tree size was measured on Brokgrow (MxM 97). Best producing trees are on moderate vigorous Magyar and CAB 11E but the productivity of vigorous Egervar and CEMA was close to them.