Fruit productivity as related to leaf area index and tree vigor of open-center apple trees trained by traditional Japanese system

• Published in: Engei Gakkai zasshi Vol. 60; no. 4; pp. 827 - 832
• Main Authors: Shiozaki, Y. (Hirosaki Univ., Aomori (Japan). Faculty of Agriculture), Kikuchi, T
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Japanese
• Published: THE JAPANESE SOCIETY FOR HORTICULTURAL SCIENCE 1992
• Subjects: CONDUITE DE LA PLANTE; FORMA ARBORESCENTE; FORMACION DE LA PLANTA; FRUITS; FRUTAS; JAPAN; JAPON; LEAF AREA; MALUS PUMILA; PLANT TRAINING; PORT ARBORESCENT; PRODUCTIVIDAD; PRODUCTIVITE; PRODUCTIVITY; SUPERFICIE FOLIAR; SURFACE FOLIAIRE; TREE FORM
• ISSN: 0013-7626; 1880-358X
• DOI: 10.2503/jjshs.60.827

Fruit productivity as related to leaf area index (LAI), shoot length, and some other tree factors was studied in the course of canopy development of open-center apple trees trained by a traditional system. Investigation was carried out with 12 'Fuji' trees worked on Marubakaido rootstock (Malus prunifolia Borkh. var. ringo) planted at 9m×9m (123 trees/ha) over a 20-year period from the 5th to the 24th year. Tree height was kept at 3.5 to 4.0 meters and the trees were developed to form very flat canopies. The proportion of ground area covered by tree canopies with respect to the total orchard area reached a maximum of about 70% (55 m2/tree), whereas LAI attained 2.0 at 20 years of age. The yield/ha increased accompanying the increase in canopy area and LAI. LAIs and corresponding yield/ha were: 1.020 t, 1.535 t, 2.055 t or more. Yield/canopy area and yield/leaf area increased accompanying the canopy expansion. This increase in yield efficiency was brought about mainly by: a) an increase in the number of spurs per canopy area; b) a decrease in mean shoot length; and c) the flat canopy structure with branches carefully arranged for good light penetration into the canopy.