Agronomic performance of two clonal seedling rootstock selections for almonds

摘要

Almond cultivars Ferragnes, Lauranne, Supernova and Tuono were grafted in 1993 on the almond selections M51 and M55 (previously selected for their ease of propagation by in vitro methods and resistance to Meloidogyne) and the peach X almond hybrid GF677 (control). Scion growth was similar on M51 and M55 and was greater on GF677. Trees on M55 were between 23% (cv. Tuono) and 53% (cv. Ferragnes) smaller on M55 than on GF677. Cumulative yields (1996-1998) were significantly higher in all cultivars onGF677, and yields on M55 tended to be higher than yields on M51. Fruit quality was also best on GF677, followed by M55 and M51, although average fruit weight was similar on GF677 and M55 (4.7 and 4.6 g, respectively). It is suggested that M55 may be suitable for planting in higher density orchards.