Evaluation of Priokskoe columnar apple variety from All-Russian Research Institute of Fruit Crop Breeding

Abstract

The use of adaptive, scab-immune, stable-fruiting columnar apple tree varieties of domestic selection enhances profitability of commercial horticulture for a higher competitive power of national agricultural market. The diversity of columnar varieties remains little, yet offering a promising line of selection given a rising interest in this form of apple tree. The research aimed to comprehensively assess the economic and biological potential of the Priokskoe columnar variety to produce recommendations on its introduction in home and industrial gardening. A number of promising selected and elite genotypes, as well as five cultivars (Priokskoe, Poeziya, Vostorg, Orlovskaya Yeseniya, Girlyanda) have been identified from the extensive hybrid fund of columnar apple trees established at the All-Russian Research Institute of Fruit Crop Breeding for over 40 years. Priokskoe was the Institute’s first early-fruiting columnar variety starting at the third year post-inoculation on low-medium vigour rootstock. Average yield at planting density 14,000 plants/ha on dwarf stock 62-396 makes 49.1 t/ha and 78.3 t/ha — in the crown of skeleton-forming stock 3-17-38 at planting density 3,333 plants/ha. Priokskoe is a strong-vigour category among columnar varieties. A 7-year tree height on dwarf rootstock 62-396 was 217.3 cm, a crowned tree height on stem stock 3-4-98 — 281.7 cm. The variety’s winter hardiness is sufficient for its cultivation in the Middle Chernozem zone at no risk of irreversible winter loss. The Rvi6 gene-conditioned scab immunity enables improvement of the orchard phytosanitary situation via reduced chemical burden. The adaptability, economic and biological traits of the Priokskoe columnar variety ensure it a worthy rating among the current apple tree assortment recommended for intensive industrial horticulture.