Abstract
Dwarf rootstocks find use to increase yield in a unit area. Therefore, the aim of the study is to compare and examine M9 dwarf and MM106 semi-dwarf rootstocks on some vegetative and yield traits of ‘Golab-kohanz’ (Iranian) and ‘Delbarstival’ (commercial foreign) cultivars of apple, grown at orchard in Abhar, Iran. Results showed that the ‘Golabkohanz’ on the MM106 rootstock had the most mean shoot length of the current year (39.97 cm) and tree height (198.33 cm). Also ‘Golab-kohanz’ (6.40 cm), (33.58 cm2 ) and MM106 rootstock (7.39 cm), (33.09 cm2 ) had the most trunk diameter and trunk cross sectional area respectively. The most internode length of the current year belonged to MM106 rootstock (5.12 cm). ‘Delbarstival’ (141 cm) and M9 Rootstock (133 cm) had the most canopy width tree. Then, ‘Delbarstival’ on M9 rootstock had the most yields of trees (14.61 kg tree-1 ), yield in hectare (40.56 ton ha-1 ) and yield efficiency (519.33 kg cm2 ). Pursuant to results, among experimented rootstocks and cultivars, ‘Delbarstival’ on M9 rootstock is the proper compound for achieving the largest yield cropping in intensive planting orchards system in Abhar climatic conditions. Keywords: Apple, dwarf and semi-dwarf rootstock, vegetative and reproductive traits.
Highlights
Trees must be trained and pruned to achieve a manageable uniform size, a balance between growth and regular yield, and to allow good penetration of light and spray to the tree center (Malavolta & Cross, 2009)
Dwarfing rootstocks have become widely acceptable by the industry as a tool for increasing orchard efficiency because they influence the size of tree, yield and planting density per unit area (Barritt et al, 1995)
Results showed that M9 rootstock lowered the shoot growth (36.39 cm), length of the current shoot growth internode (4.11 cm), tree height (170.67 cm), canopy wide (133 cm), trunk diameter (6.11 cm) and Trunk Cross Sectional Area (TCSA) (30.92 cm2), on cultivar grafted compared to that of MM106 rootstock (Fig. 1 & 2), confirming the previous studies (Castes & Villanneva, 2007; Amiri & Fallahi, 2009)
Summary
Trees must be trained and pruned to achieve a manageable uniform size, a balance between growth and regular yield, and to allow good penetration of light and spray to the tree center (Malavolta & Cross, 2009). Most apple scion cultivars grown on their own roots or on seedling rootstocks produce large standard trees of 7-10 m in height and spread. Whilst such trees are acceptable in countries where land and labor are very inexpensive, in most apple producing areas of the world some reduction in this natural vigor is desired (Ferree & Warrington, 2003; Ahmad Dadashpour et al, 2012). Vigorous rootstocks such as M9 reduce 20-30% tree size compared with seedling rootstock (Fazio & Baldo, 2005). Our objective was to study the influence of vegetative M9 and MM106 rootstocks on reaction of two apple cultivars to achieve large quantities of fruit relative to the amount of wood produce in Abhar region of Iran
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