scholarly journals Comparison of Two Training Methods Applied to Apple Trees Trained to Slender Spindle During the First Years After Planting

2017 ◽  
Vol 65 (4) ◽  
pp. 1241-1245
Author(s):  
Martin Mészáros ◽  
Luděk Laňar ◽  
Josef Sus ◽  
Jan Náměstek
Keyword(s):  
Relative Proportion ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
Fruit Production ◽  
Training Methods ◽  
Apple Trees ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Yield Efficiency ◽  
Crown Volume ◽  
Slender Spindle ◽  
Total Growth

The research was focused on the comparison of two pruning methods (winter pruning and winter + summer pruning) applied to apple trees trained to a standard and a modified slender spindle. The orchard of ‘Topaz’ trees, grafted on rootstock M 9, was planted in spring 2011. In the years 2013 – 2016, trunk cross sectional area (TCSA), crown volume, cumulative yields, yield efficiency, relative proportion of fruit size classes, number of cuts and dry matter of pruned wood were analyzed. The total growth intensity of the trees, measured by TCSA, was similar among the treatments. The trees of modified slender spindle had lower mean crown volume (2.751 – 2.765 m3) comparing to slender spindle with additional summer pruning (3.355 m3) and proved to better control the tree size. The modified slender spindle brought similar or slightly lower cumulative yields, but significantly higher proportion of good sized fruits (in categories above ř 70 mm) comparing to slender spindle. The pruning of modified spindle brings generally higher number of cuts removing a higher amount of woody biomass in comparison to slender spindle, regardless if combined with summer pruning. The additional summer pruning brought no beneficial effect in reduction of growth, fruit production and fruit size of the modified slender spindle.

scholarly journals PALMETTE-LEADER (PL) AND CENTRAL-LEADER (CL) TREE-FORM EFFECTS ON LIGHT DISTRIBUTION, PRODUCTIVITY AND FRUIT QUALITY OF `McINTOSH' APPLE TREES

HortScience ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 25 (9) ◽  
pp. 1122b-1122
Author(s):  
D.C. Elfving ◽  
I. Schechter ◽  
R.A. Cline ◽  
W.F. Pierce
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Size ◽  
Nutrient Content ◽  
Fruit Color ◽  
Apple Trees ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Tree Form ◽  
Yield Efficiency ◽  
Color Development ◽  
Light Levels

Mature `Macspur McIntosh'/MM.106 trees trained to the CL tree form were converted to the PL tree form in 1987 by removal of east- and west-oriented upper scaffold limbs. Control trees were pruned to maintain the CL form. Dormant pruning in later years maintained either tree form. No summer pruning was used in this study. Canopy light levels along horizontal transects at one m above the soil and vertical transects, both through the center of the canopy, were unaffected by tree form or transect direction. Yields were significantly lower for PL trees in 1987 and 1989, while yield efficiency was reduced in PL trees in all 3 years. Fruit size, trunk cross-sectional area, and foliar macro-nutrient content were unaffected by tree form during this study. Fruit color development in both the upper and lower halves of the canopy was uninfluenced by tree form.

Effect of Canopy Angle and Row Spacing on Tree Growth, Yield, Light Interception, and Fruit Quality of Y-trellis-trained Apple Trees

HortScience ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 547d-547 ◽  
Author(s):  
Terence L. Robinson
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Size ◽  
Growth Yield ◽  
Free Standing ◽  
Apple Trees ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Yield Efficiency ◽  
Strong Positive Relationship ◽  
Canopy Volume ◽  
The Relationship

`Empire'/M.9/MM.106 and `Ace Delicious'/MM.106 apple trees were planted in 1985 at three between row spacings (3.0 m, 4.25 m and 5.5 m) and were trained as either free standing central leaders or as Y-shaped hedgerows for 13 years. The Y hedgerow arms had varying angles from 40° to 80° above the horizontal. Final scaffold length, canopy volume, trunk cross-sectional area, and above-ground canopy weight were positively correlated to the angle of the Y arms. As the angle of the Y arms became more horizontal, the amount of growth removed during summer pruning increased. At the flattest angle (40° above horizontal), terminal growth of both cultivars ceased and excessive vertical sucker growth resulted. As the angle of the Y arms became more vertical, more terminal growth was obtained and less shoot growth had to be removed during summer pruning. Cumulative yields of the Y-shaped trees were generally greater than those of the central-leader-trained trees. Exceptions were the most horizontal and the most vertical canopy angles, which had the lowest yields. The relationship between angle of Y arms and yield showed a broad optimum between 50° and 70° above the horizontal. There was also a strong positive relationship between tree density and yield. `Empire' fruit size was smaller from the Y-shaped trees than from the central-leader trees. The optimum angles for fruit size were the intermediate angles. Fruit color was poorest on the flattest angles and best on the most-vertical angles. The best yield efficiency was at intermediate angles (50° 70°). This resulted in the best balance of vegetative growth and cropping.

scholarly journals Canopy Development, Yield, and Fruit Quality of `Empire' and `Delicious' Apple Trees Grown in Four Orchard Production Systems for Ten Years

1991 ◽  
Vol 116 (2) ◽  
pp. 179-187 ◽  
Author(s):  
Terence L. Robinson ◽  
Alan N. Lakso ◽  
Stephen G. Carpenter
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Size ◽  
Fruit Color ◽  
Tree Density ◽  
The Other ◽  
Soluble Solids ◽  
Apple Trees ◽  
Yield Efficiency ◽  
Crop Density ◽  
Canopy Volume ◽  
Slender Spindle

A field planting of `Empire' and `Redchief Delicious' apple trees (Malus domestics Borkh.) was established in 1978 to evaluate four planting systems: 1) slender spindle/M.9, 2) Y-trellis/M.26, 3) central leader/M.9/MM.111, and 4) central leader/M.7a. During the first 5 years, yields per hectare for `Empire' were positively correlated with tree density. In the second 5 years, the Y-trellis/M.26 trees produced the highest yields while yields of the other systems continued to be related to tree density. Cumulative yields were highest with the Y-trellis/M.26 trees. With `Delicious', the Y-trellis/M.26 yields were greatest during all 10 years despite lower tree density than the slender spindle/M.9. Yields of `Delicious' with the other three systems were a function of tree density during the 10 years. At maturity, canopy volume per tree was greatest on the central leader/M.7a trees and smallest on the slender spindle/M.9 trees; however, there were no significant differences in canopy volume per hectare between the systems despite large differences in yield. Trunk cross sectional area (TCA) per hectare was greatest with the Y-trellis/M.26 trees and smallest with the central leader/M.7 trees. Yield was highly correlated to TCA/ha. Yield efficiency with `Empire' was greatest for the slender spindle/M.9 system, followed by the Y-trellis/M.26, central leader/M.9/MM.111, respectively. With both cultivars, the central leader/M.7a system had the lowest yield efficiency. With `Delicious', there were no differences in yield efficiency for the other three systems. The greater yield of the Y-trellis/M.26 system was the result of greater TCA/ha and not greater efficiency. `Empire' fruit size was largest on the central leader/M.7a and the central leader/M.9/MM.111 trees and smallest on the slender spindle/M.9 and the Y-trellis/M.26 trees. With `Delicious', fruit size was larger with the Y-trellis/M.26 trees than the other systems. When fruit size was adjusted for crop density, there were no significant differences due to system with `Empire', but with `Delicious' the Y-trellis/M.26 trees had larger adjusted fruit size than the other systems. Crop density calculated using TCA correlated better to fruit size than did crop density calculated using annual increase in TCA, canopy volume, or land area. Fruit color and quality with `Redchief Delicious' were not influenced by system. With `Empire', average fruit color and soluble solids content were lower for the Y-trellis/M.26 and slender spindle/M.9 in some years when canopy density was allowed to become. excessive.

scholarly journals Palmette-leader and Central-leader Tree Forms Compared for Light Distribution, Productivity, and Fruit Quality of `McIntosh' Apple Trees

HortScience ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 25 (11) ◽  
pp. 1386-1388 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.C. Elfving ◽  
I. Schechter ◽  
R.A. Cline ◽  
W.F. Pierce
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Size ◽  
Fruit Color ◽  
Apple Trees ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Tree Form ◽  
Yield Efficiency ◽  
Color Development ◽  
Light Levels ◽  
Area Growth

Mature `Macspur McIntosh'/MM.106 apple trees (Malus domestica Borkh.) trained to the central-leader (CL) tree form were converted to the palmette-leader (PL) tree form in 1987 by removal of east- and west-oriented scaffolds in the upper canopy. Control trees were pruned to maintain the CL form. Dormant pruning in subsequent seasons maintained either tree form. No summer pruning was done. Canopy light levels along horizontal transects 1 m above the soil and vertical transects, both through the center of the canopy, were unaffected by tree form or transect direction. Yields were significantly lower for PL trees in 1987 and 1989, while yield efficiency was reduced in PL trees in all 3 years. Fruit size, trunk cross-sectional area growth, and foliar macronutrient content were unaffected by tree form. Fruit color development in both the upper and lower halves of the canopy was not influenced by tree form during the study.

scholarly journals Evaluation Of Slender Spindle Form In Young ‘Topaz’ Apple Orchard

2015 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 167-171 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Mészáros ◽  
J. Sus ◽  
L. Laňar ◽  
J. Náměstek
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Size ◽  
Apple Orchard ◽  
Cumulative Yield ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Apple Variety ◽  
Volume Number ◽  
Yield Efficiency ◽  
Size Classes ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Slender Spindle

AbstractTwo growing systems were compared – slender spindle and modified slender spindle, supplemented with or without additional summer pruning. The trial was carried out in orchard of the apple variety ‘Topaz’ in years 2012–2014. The assessed parameters were: trunk cross sectional area (TCSA), crown volume, number of cuts, dry matter weight of pruned wood, cumulative yield, yield efficiency, and relative occurrence of size classes of fruits. The objective was to confirm the hypothesized advantages of modified slender spindle in the period of increasing yields. Based on statistical analysis there was no significant difference among systems in growth measured by TCSA. Increase in crown cubage was the highest on slender spindle with additional summer pruning. The lowest increase of crown cubage was on modified spindle without summer pruning. Number of winter cuts and similarly dry weight was significantly higher on the modified spindle only in 2013. Additional summer pruning influenced both the above-mentioned parameters. There were no significant differences in cumulative yield and yield efficiency between systems. Similarly, the difference in the occurrence of various fruit size classes was not significant. We conclude that study needs to be extended in order to confirm the suggested trends.

Effect of Four Training Systems on Growth and Productivity of `Cortland'/M.9 EMLA Apple Trees

HortScience ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 451e-451
Author(s):  
J.R. Schupp ◽  
S.I. Koller
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Size ◽  
Vertical Axis ◽  
Significant Loss ◽  
Training Methods ◽  
Cumulative Yield ◽  
Or Efficiency ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Tree Survival ◽  
Canopy Volume ◽  
Planting Distance

`Cortland'/M.9 EMLA trees were planted in 1991 at 1.8 ×4.2-m spacing. The trees were trained to one of four systems: 1) Vertical Axis; 2) Y trellis; 3) Solen; or 4) Palmette trellis. Tree survival was 86% for Palmette trees and approached 100% for the other three systems. Annual yield and cumulative yield per tree of Vertical Axis and Y trellis was twice that of Solen or Palmette. Tree vigor was sub-optimal relative to planting distance in this study. Trunk cross-sectional area of Vertical Axis trees was larger than that of trees trained to Solen or Palmette, while trees trained to Y trellis were intermediate in trunk growth. Canopy volumes of Vertical Axis and Y trellis trees were similar, and greater than that of Solen or Palmette trees. Fruit size on Solen and Palmette trees was larger than that of Y trellis trees in 1995 and 1996, while fruit size on Vertical Axis trees was intermediate. Cumulative yield per cubic meter of canopy volume was the same for all four systems, suggesting that differences in productivity among systems were attributable to the effects of tree training practices on tree size, not to differences among systems in precocity or efficiency. The low heading cut needed to establish the lowest tier of branches on the Palmette system reduced tree vigor and in some cases, resulted in mortality. The horizontal training of the primary branches of the Solen severely reduced tree vigor. In this study, where tree vigor was sub-optimal due to rootstock selection, the additional restrictions in tree growth resulting from restrictive training methods resulted in a significant loss in productivity.

EFFECT OF VIRUS INFECTION ON THE PERFORMANCE OF McINTOSH APPLE TREES ON SELECTED SEEDLING AND CLONAL ROOTSTOCKS

1984 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  
pp. 361-368 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. WARNER ◽  
H. B. HEENEY ◽  
S. J. LEUTY ◽  
C. L. POTTER
Keyword(s):  
Virus Infection ◽  
Tree Size ◽  
Apple Cultivar ◽  
Apple Trees ◽  
Virus Inoculation ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Yield Efficiency ◽  
Red Color ◽  
Chlorotic Leaf ◽  
Stem Pitting

A field experiment conducted over 12 yr showed virus inoculation with Spy decline, chlorotic leaf spot, stem pitting, rubbery wood and apple stem grooving viruses generally reduced tree size and yield of two strains of the McIntosh apple cultivar. Virus-inoculated trees flowered and fruited slightly ahead of uninoculated trees. Trees on Ottawa Hybrid (OH)-1, OH-5, Ottawa (0)-5, 0-7, 0-11 and Malus robusta Rehd. 5 rootstocks were the most sensitive to virus infection, while trees on OH-3, OH-4, OH-6 and O-3 were relatively tolerant to virus infection. Virus infection did not reduce yield efficiency (kilograms of fruit per unit of trunk cross sectional area). Fruit from trees inoculated with virus was generally smaller in size but had more red color than fruit from uninoculated trees.Key words: Malus domestica, Ottawa rootstocks, yield, tree size, fruit quality, virus sensitivity

scholarly journals GROWTH AND FRUIT PRODUCTION OF YOUNG MICROPROPAGATED APPLE (MALUS DOMESTICA BORKH.) TREES

HortScience ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 637f-637
Author(s):  
Fenton E. Larsen ◽  
Stewart S. Higgins
Keyword(s):  
Malus Domestica ◽  
Fruit Production ◽  
Tree Size ◽  
Sectional Area ◽  
Cumulative Yield ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Malus Domestica Borkh ◽  
Yield Efficiency ◽  
Westerly Winds ◽  
Golden Delicious

Tree size, cumulative yield, yield efficiency and anchorage of 6 micropropagated (MP) apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) cultivars were determined in 1991 after 5 years of production, as compared with trees on seedling (sdlg) or M 7a roots. Trees were planted in 1984, with crops harvested from 1987 through 1991. Trees were generally smallest (trunk cross-sectional area) on M 7a and were largest with 4 cultivars (`Delicious', `Jonathan', `Rome', `Spartan') when micropropagated. `Golden Delicious' (GD) was largest on sdlg. Cumulative yield was affected by a scion × rootstock interaction, with few trends in scion or rootstock effects. Mean cumulative yield was 84 kg tree-1, 71 and 58 for M 7a, MP and sdlg, respectively. Yield efficiency was also affected by a scion × rootstock interaction. In 1991, mean yield efficiency was 0.5 kg cm-2 for sdlg and MP trees, but was 1.05 for M 7a. Efficiency on M 7a was superior to other rootstocks with all scions except `GD', while sdlg and MP trees were statistically similar with all scions. All trees leaned in response to prevailing westerly winds, with trees on sdlg tending to be more upright than MP or M 7a trees.

scholarly journals RELATIONSHIPS OF LEAF AREA AND TRUNK DIAMETER OF APPLE TREES AFFECTED BY ROOTSTOCK AN D CULTIVAR

HortScience ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 27 (11) ◽  
pp. 1169c-1169
Author(s):  
Curt R. Rom ◽  
Renae E. Moran
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Area ◽  
Cross Sectional Area ◽  
Sectional Area ◽  
Mature Trees ◽  
Apple Trees ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Trunk Diameter ◽  
Yield Efficiency ◽  
Linear Relationships ◽  
Old Trees

Trunk cross-sectional area (TCA) has been used to estimate leaf area (LA) and yield efficiency but variation in LA and TCA relationships have been unexplored. LA and TCA of 10-yr-old 'Starkspur Supreme Delicious' on 9 rootstocks (STKs) were measured in 1989. LA and TCA of 2-yr-old trees of 3 cultivars (CVs) on 5 STKs were measured in 1991. Regression of LA and TCA was performed for each CV, STK and each CV/STK. On mature trees, LA varied significantly with STK. The number and LA of shoot leaves (LVS) and spur LVS varied with STK but the % of total was not significantly different (approx. 52% spur LVS). The relationships of LA and TCA were linear for mature (r2=.94) and young (r2=.44) trees. On young trees, TCA varied with CV, but LA did not. Both LA and TCA were significantly different among STKs. The linear relationships of LA and TCA had unique intercepts with each CV, STK and CV/STK combination but slopes were not significantly different. Leaf area of Jonagold' and 'Gala' tended to increase more with increasing TCA than 'Empire'.

scholarly journals Influence of Root Pruning and Rootstock on Growth and Performance of `Golden Delicious' Apple

HortScience ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 645-648 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.C. Ferree ◽  
M. Knee
Keyword(s):  
Cell Division ◽  
Size Effect ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
Root Pruning ◽  
Sectional Area ◽  
Cumulative Yield ◽  
Apple Trees ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Golden Delicious ◽  
And Performance

`Smoothee Golden Delicious' apple trees on nine rootstocks or interstems were mechanically root pruned annually for 9 years beginning the year after planting. Root pruning reduced trunk cross-sectional area (TCA) by 14% over the first 5 years and 22% in the last 4 years of the trial. Yield and fruit size were reduced by root pruning in most years with the fruit size effect obvious in June at the end of cell division. Interstem trees of MAC.9/MM.106 were larger than trees on M.9 and the following interstems: M.9/MM.106, M.9/MM.111, M.27/MM.111. Trees on seedling (SDL) rootstock were the largest and had the lowest yield per unit TCA and lower cumulative yield/tree than trees on M.7, MM.106, and MM.1ll. There was no interaction for any measure of growth or yield between root pruning and rootstock or interstem.

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