Orchard Performance of some Romanian Plum Cultivars Grafted on Two Rootstocks

Abstract

Abstract The pomolgical values of three Romanian plum cultivars (‘Carpatin’, ‘Centenar’, ‘Tita’) grafted on two rootstocks (‘Saint Julien’ and ‘Myrobalan C5’) were evaluated. These varieties were compared with ‘Stanley’ variety as a control. The experimental plot was established in Research Institute for Fruit Growing Pitesti-Maracineni. The trees were planted in the spring of 2010 at different distance: 4x4 m in the case of ‘Myrobalan C5’ rootstock and 4x2.25 m in the case of ‘Saint Julien’ rootstock. The planting system comprised either 4 trees with 3 replicates. The trees were irrigated and their crowns were trained as spindles (in the case of ‘Saint Julien’ rootstock) and flat open center (in the case of ‘Myrobalan C5’ rootstock). In this experimental plot, in 2012-2014 period, were evaluated: tree vigour based upon measuring of trunk-diameter and calculated trunk cross sectional area, yields in kg/tree and basic parameters of fruit quality. Behind observations and measurements we found that the trees of all cultivars grafted on ‘Saint Julien’ rootstock came into bearing in the second year after planting, but production was very low, and those on ‘Myrobalan C5’ rootstock in the third year. The vigour of all cultivars grafted on ‘Saint Julien’ rootstock was weaker than those grafted on ‘Myrobalan C5’. The Romanian varieties on both rootstocks were noted by fruit large, appearance and quality, designed for fresh consumption.