Pomological and physiological characteristics of Slender Pyramid central leader apple (Malus domestica) planting systems grown on intermediate vigour, semi‐dwarfing, and dwarfing rootstocks

摘要

Abstract Three apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) planting systems utilising medium vigour (MM. 106, 5.0 × 3.0 m), semi‐dwarf (M.26, 4.0 × 2.0 m), or dwarf (Mark, 4.0 × 2.0 m) rootstocks were compared using pomological and physiological attributes affecting productivity and fruit quality of the cultivar ‘Fuji’. All planting systems were grown using Slender Pyramid tree management. Individual tree size increased with rootstock vigour, but canopy development per unit land area was similar for planting systems on MM. 106 and M.26. Light interception was up to 50% less in the Mark dwarf tree system which corresponded to small tree size and limited canopy growth once cropping began. Leaf area index of the dwarf tree system on Mark was 1.9, half that of systems on MM. 106 and M.26, whereas leaf area density of 3.7, was more than 50% higher than for the other systems. Irradiance reaching the lower inner canopy region of trees was most affected by canopy aspect with highest irradiance in the eastern sector and lowest...