Training systems for high-density cherry orchards in Trento province

Abstract

In spring 2010, a high-density cherry trial was established comparing three training systems (TSs) (tall spindle axe (TSA) (2604 trees ha(-1)), bi-axis (2083 trees ha(-1)) and upright fruiting offshoot (UFO) (1736 trees ha-1)) with two sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) cultivars (‘Kordia’ and ‘Regina’) grafted on two rootstock genotypes (GiSelA®5 (Gi5) and Piku1(S) (P1)). After 7 years, tree size, was similar among all the TSs. ‘Kordia’ had larger tree size than ‘Regina’. Among rootstock genotypes, tree size was larger with P1 compared to Gi5. Bi-axis trees had higher cumulative yield (CY) and cumulative yield efficiency (CYE) compared to trees trained as TSA and UFO systems. On a hectare basis, the TSA had similar CY to bi-axis, both significantly higher than UFO system. Trees on Gi5 had higher CY and CYE than trees on P1 and ‘Kordia’ had higher CY and CYE than ‘Regina’. TSs did not affect fruit weight. ‘Regina’ had bigger fruit size compared to ‘Kordia’ due to the significant lower number of fruits on the trees. Fruits on Gi5 had higher fruit weight compared to P1 despite having a significantly higher yield. ‘Kordia’ on Gi5 trained to a bi-axis system had the best combination of high yield and fruit size. Fruit soluble solids were higher with UFO than TSA and bi-axis systems. ‘Regina’ had higher soluble solids and firmness compared to ‘Kordia’, which is likely due to the lower CY obtained by ‘Regina’.