Budding height and planting depth influence 'Fuji' and 'Golden Delicious' (Malus domestica Borkh.) apple tree performance.

摘要

Fruit growers prefer apple trees that grow with moderate vigor, demand little labour and produce consistent and high quality yields. These requirements are best met by grafting plants on dwarfing apple rootstocks. The dwarfing rootstock M.9 holds the greatest promise for Italy's high density orchards. However, with some vigorous cultivars, this rootstock may not be dwarfing enough. Instead of choosing another rootstock type, an increase of the dwarfing effect can be achieved by modifying budding height and the planting depth of the rootstocks. The rootstock length exposed above the ground level was especially effective in influencing the dwarfing effect on the tree. Atrial was established in 2001 and continued until 2008 at the Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry Laimburg, to find the optimal budding height and planting depth of 'Fuji' and 'Golden Delicious' apple trees, grafted on M.9 apple rootstocks. Trees with the longer exposed rootstock shanks (high planted budding units) were smaller in comparison to deep planted ones. A reduction in fruit size and trunk cross sectional area was shown in higher planted and higher grafted apple trees. Overall, we can state an optimal combination is given when trees are planted at low depth and rootstock shanks are covered after planting with soil.