Several orchard management systems with 3 333 to 13 223 trees per ha were compared over the first ten years of cropping (1993-2002) for their effect on fruit yield. Apple trees were planted as a single- or multi-row or V-system with a spindle at low densities and a slender spindle or superspindle at high densities. The results showed that planting density and training system were the critical factors determining the total apple yield per tree, which was the highest at the density of 3 333 trees per ha and the lowest at 13 223 trees per ha. The densities over 5 333 trees per ha did not significantly increase the mean yield per unit area during the first ten years of cropping. For 'Jonagold' trees the cumulative fruit yield for 1993-2002 was the highest at the densities of 3 333 and 5 333 trees per ha, varying from 380 to 400 t per ha. In the case of 'Golden Delicious' the highest cumulative fruit yield (about 4401 per ha) was obtained at the densities of 3 333 and 7 404. Planting density and training system had also an effect on tree vigour, which was the weakest for the trees trained as a superspindle with 13 223 trees per ha.
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