effect of rootstock and spacing on the growth and yield of 'Kántorjánosi 3' sour cherry variety in intensive orchard

• Published in: Acta horticulturae no. 981; pp. 373 - 378
• Main Authors: Magyar, L, Hrotkó, K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: International Society for Horticultural Science 01.01.2013
• Subjects: branches; drought tolerance; fruit growing; hybrids; irrigation; leaves; on-farm research; Prunus cerasus; Prunus mahaleb; rootstocks; seedlings; spatial distribution; trees; vigor
• ISSN: 0567-7572
• DOI: 10.17660/actahortic.2013.981.58

In our trial eight different varieties of sweet and sour cherry rootstocks were examined in three different spacing, what was carried out in Experimental and Research Farm of Corvinus University of Budapest. The aim was to find rootstocks with drought tolerance in different vigorous for the ‘Kántorjánosi 3’, which a wide-spread sour cherry variety at Hungary. The rootstocks were tested (P. mahaleb: ‘CEMA’ and ‘Korponay’ seedlings, ‘SL 64’, ‘Bogdány’ and ‘Magyar’; P. fruticosa: ‘Prob’; Prunus hybrids: ‘Colt’ and ‘Pi-Ku 2’ vegetative propagated) in variant spacing (4x2,5; 4x2; 4x1,5 m). Trees were formed to slender spindle, what is suitable for modern fruit growing. Our results show that this type of crown can be applied at medium and strong vigorous rootstocks in different spacing. In extensive condition, large spacing (4x2-2.5 m) with strong vigorous rootstocks (Prunus mahaleb varieties) are recommended. ‘Magyar’ is also suitable under these conditions, and the spacing can be reduced to 4x1.75 m. The vigour of ‘Prob’ is not enough to the applied spacing. Under these conditions, it is difficult to keep the slender spindle form. Trees on these rootstocks with Zahn-spindle form in higher density could be efficient with modern irrigation, fertilization and training system. The ‘Prob’ rootstock resulted one of the best fruit size. Based on our results we do not recommend for ‘Kántorjánosi 3’ ‘Colt’ and ‘Pi-Ku 2’. The branches died and leaves turned yellow on ‘Pi-Ku 2’. ‘CEMA’ and ‘Korponay’ with strong vigorous gave better yield. Medium vigorous ‘Magyar’ was also suitable in higher tree density. Compared the data we can see that using larger spacing increases the yield significantly. On the other hand the specific yield index does not show significantly difference at the different spacing. Summarizing our results we can state that increasing the density in the orchard, the yield does not decrease significantly. We can reduce spacing as long as the vigorous of rootstocks-scion combination can allow it.