scholarly journals 068 EFFECT OF PRUNING SEVERITY ON APPLE TREE GROWTH, YIELD AND YIELD EFFICIENCY

HortScience ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 437f-437
Author(s):  
Terence L. Robinson

`Empire'/M.26 apple trees which were planted in 1978 and trained to a Y-trellis were pruned differentially from 1989-1993. Trees were dormant pruned by removing from 1-4 scaffold limbs. The annual increase in trunk cross-sectional area (TCA), and the number and length of shoots removed during summer pruning increased linearly as the severity of pruning increased. The number of shoots removed during summer pruning from the most severe pruning treatment was more than double that of the least severe treatment Cumulative fruit number and yield were reduced linearly with increasing severity of pruning while average fruit size was increased only slightly by severity of pruning. Light interception was reduced with increasing severity of pruning. Tree efficiency of converting light energy into fruit (g fruit/MJ PAR intercepted) was linearly reduced with increasing pruning severity. Most of the reduction in conversion efficiency appeared to be due to reduced partitioning of resources into fruit since partitioning index (g fruit/unit increase in TCA) was more highly correlated to pruning severity than to conversion efficiency. Conversion efficiency and partitioning index accounted for a greater portion of the yield variation than did light interception indicating that the influence of pruning on yield was more a function of changing internal physiology than reduced light interception.

HortScience ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 582c-582
Author(s):  
Terence L. Robinson ◽  
Warren C Stiles

A field experiment was established in 1992 with `Empire' apple trees on either M.7 or M.9 rootstock. Preplant fertilization with NPKB plus lime compared to the lime only control did not increase tree growth during the first 4 years, but did increase cumulative yield (10%) and average fruit size (7%). The addition of annual applications of ground-applied NKB after planting increased total shoot growth 17%, as well as yield (26%) and fruit size (14%) compared to the lime only control. Trickle irrigation significantly increased trunk cross-sectional area (17%), shoot growth (16%), yield (18%), fruit size (5%), and yield efficiency (7%). The interaction of ground fertilization and trickle irrigation showed that trickle irrigation increased the benefits of ground applied fertilizers. Without trickle irrigation, ground-applied fertilizers increased shoot growth only 6% and yield 14% compared to the unfertilized controls, but, with the addition of trickle irrigation, the ground-applied fertilizers increased shoot growth 21% and yield 21% over the irrigated but unfertilized control. Ground fertilization increased yield efficiency and fruit size by the percentage by whether or not trickle irrigation was present. Fertigation gave similar results as the trickle plus ground fertilizer treatment on tree growth, yield, fruit size, and yield efficiency. Our results indicate that trickle irrigation in the eastern United States can improve tree growth, yield, and fruit size in the first few years after planting. The addition of ground-applied fertilizer or fertigation can improve tree performance even more. However, in the humid New York climate, there does not appear to be a significant benefit from injecting the fertilizer into the trickle water compared to applying the fertilizer on the ground.


HortScience ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 547d-547 ◽  
Author(s):  
Terence L. Robinson

`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.


HortScience ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. 215-220 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerry H. Neilsen ◽  
Denise Neilsen ◽  
Frank Kappel ◽  
T. Forge

‘Cristalina’ and ‘Skeena’ sweet cherry cultivars (Prunus avium L.) on Gisela 6 (Prunus cerasus × Prunus canescens) rootstock planted in 2005 were maintained since 2006 in a randomly blocked split-split plot experimental design with six blocks of two irrigation frequency main plot treatments within which two cultivar subplots and three soil management sub-subplots were randomly applied. The focus of this study was the growth, yield, and fruit quality response of sweet cherry to water and soil management over three successive fruiting seasons, 2009–11, in a cold climate production area. The final 2 years of the study period were characterized by cool, wet springs resulting in low yield and yield efficiency across all treatments. Soil moisture content (0- to 20-cm depth) during the growing season was often higher in soils that received high-frequency irrigation (HFI) compared with low-frequency irrigation (LFI). HFI and LFI received the same amount of water, but water was applied four times daily in the HFI treatment but every other day in the LFI treatment. Consequently, larger trunk cross-sectional area (TCSA) and higher yield were found on HFI compared with LFI trees. Soil management strategies involving annual bloom time phosphorus (P) fertigation and wood waste mulching did not affect tree vigor and yield. Increased soluble solids concentration (SSC) occurred with LFI. Decreased SSC occurred with delayed harvest maturity in trees receiving P fertigation at bloom. The largest fruit size was correlated for both cultivars with low crop loads ranging from 100 to 200 g fruit/cm2 TCSA. Overall cool, wet spring weather strongly affected annual yield and fruit quality, often overriding cultivar and soil and water management effects.


1981 ◽  
Vol 21 (108) ◽  
pp. 119
Author(s):  
KR Chapman ◽  
B Paxton ◽  
J Saranah ◽  
PD Scudamore-Smith

Five guava seedlines of Hawaiian origin, namely GA9-37, GA12-1 6, GA10-48, GA11-56 and GA9-39 were yield tested in coastal sub-tropical south-eastern Queensland. The work demonstrated that seedling guavas produce attractive yields comparable with overseas countries. First crop mean yields were 30.72 kg/tree after 18 months in the field, demonstrating the precocious bearing of the guava. Yields for second and third cropping years were 45.6 and 77.9 kg/tree. These yields equate to 24.7, 37.2 and 61.5 tonnes ha-1 at a planting density of 805 trees ha-1. Third crop yields give the attractive gross returns of around $15,000 ha-1, at current prices paid by processors in Queensland. No differences were found between seedlines in annual yields, accumulated crop yields, fruit Number/tree, annual yield per unit cross sectional area of butt (an index of fruitfulness) and accumulated yield per unit cross sectional area of butt. Within seedline, variability masked differential response and these aspects are discussed. Fruit yields and relative increase in butt cross sectional area of butt varied with cropping year. Fruit. number per tree and yield per unit cross sectional area of butt varied with years, as did fruit number per kg (an index of fruit size). The latter also varied with seedlines. These effects were attributed to water rationing in spring of the second crop year. Preliminary selection based on fruit quality aspects of individuals identified four individuals which are undergoing detailed processing assessment, namely GA9-39R1T2, GA11-56T7, GA11-56R5T2 and GA1 1-56R5T1. Two further individuals were selected for fresh fruit market testing, namely GA11-56T3 and GA11 -56R1T1. We believe that market development rather than horticultural problems to be overcome will dictate the success of the guava as a crop for Australia, since the guava is comparatively easy to grow and manage.


1986 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 619
Author(s):  
KR Chapman ◽  
B Paxton ◽  
DH Maggs

Five processing guava clones (GA6- 1, GA7- 12, GA8-30, GA9-35, GA11-56) were tested over 3 cropping years at Nambour, in coastal south-eastern Queensland. Mean marketable yield for the first crop at 2 years of age was 45 kg/tree or 36.23 t/ha at a density of 805 trees/ha. GA11-56, the most acceptable clone for processing, also gave the highest marketable yields of 627, 71.65 and 72.53 t/ha for the first 3 crops. Yield per unit cross sectional area of trunk was a more simple and useful index of yield efficiency than more complex parameters including a fruitfulness index and multiple regressions with yield of north-south canopy spread, number of primary branches and combinations of these and trunk girth. Similarly, trunk - - girth provided at least as good an estimate of tree size as the vigour index. Tree dimension measurements which included east-west canopy spread, north-south canopy spread, tree height, stem height, number of primary branches, crown height, crown radius, tree canopy volume, canopy surface area and an index of crown weight provided no consistent indication of tree size. They were not highly correlated with either accumulated or final yield of the guava. The GA11-56 clone because of its yield, fruit size and other desirable processing characteristics was the only clone that could be recommended for commercial plantings.


2019 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  
pp. 165-174
Author(s):  
Dragan Milatovic ◽  
Mirjana Radovic ◽  
Gordan Zec ◽  
Djordje Boskov

The paper examines the influence of three clonal rootstocks ('Pixy', 'Fereley' and 'St. Julien A') along with seedlings of Myrobalan (control) on the growth, yield and fruit quality of the plum cultivar 'Cacanska Rana'. Research was conducted in the area of the Belgrade Danube basin for the six-year period (2013-2018). In comparison to control, all three clonal rootstocks have shown a significant effect on the decrease of vigor expressed as a trunk cross-sectional area. The lowest vigor was found in trees on the 'Pixy' rootstock, then on 'Fereley' and 'St. Julien A' rootstocks. Regarding the rootstocks 'Fereley' and 'St. Julien A', significantly higher fruit set and yields were achieved in comparison to control. Clonal rootstocks induced an increase in the yield per hectare ranging from 72% to 93% compared to Myrobalan. The highest yield efficiency was found in the trees on the 'Fereley' rootstock, followed by the yields observed in the trees on the 'Pixy' and 'St. Julien A' rootstocks. Significantly higher fruit weight compared to control was obtained in the trees on the 'Fereley' rootstock. Rootstocks did not show any significant effect on the soluble solids and total acid contents of the fruit. Based on the results obtained, it can be concluded that all three clonal rootstocks showed better results than Myrobalan, and can be recommended for establishing intensive plum plantations with higher planting density. The best results in terms of yield and fruit quality were obtained with the 'Fereley' rootstock.


2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-25
Author(s):  
K K Srivastava ◽  
Dinesh Kumar ◽  
S R Singh ◽  
O C Sharma

Annual extension growth (AEG), an indicator of tree vigor, was recorded maximum (145.63 cm) in Granny Smith and minimum (111.04cm) in Spartan, where as correlation matrix showed negative relation between trunk cross sectional area (TCSA) and AEG. Granny Smith exhibited maximum (184.09 g) fruit weight and it was minimum (128.68 g) in Spartan, the correlation matrix between fruit weight and yield efficiency exhibited significant positive correlation over the years. Yield tree-1 was maximum (29.45 kg tree-1) in Coe red Fuji and minimum (16.04 kg/tree) in Spartan. Significant and positive correlation coefficient (0.870) observed between yield and TCSA. TCSA has positive correlation with fruit weight and yield efficiency, maximum mean yield efficiency (1.11 kg/cm2) was recorded in Granny Smith. All the cultivars trained on this architecture had high chroma values (color intensity).


HortScience ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 481C-481
Author(s):  
Terence L. Robinson ◽  
Warren Stiles

A field experiment was established in 1993 in a 3-year-old `Empire'/M.9 apple orchard. An incomplete factorial treatment design compared nitrogen only fertilization with nitrogen plus potassium fertilizer applied either on the ground with and without trickle irrigation or through the trickle irrigation system. Timing of potassium fertigation treatments compared season-long K fertigation to early season or late-season K fertigation. Results of main effects showed that K fertilization reduced trunk cross-sectional area increase, but increased yield, fruit size, and fruit red color. There was no benefit of fertigation compared to ground application of fertilizers plus trickle irrigation. There was no effect of source of K fertilizer (KCl vs KNO3) on tree growth, yield, fruit size, or color. Time of K fertigation showed that late-season K fertigation resulted in greater trunk cross-sectional area increase compared to early season fertigation or season-long fertigation. Fruit size was greatest when K fertigation was done in the early season. There was no effect of time of fertigation on yield or fruit red color. Potassium fertilization increased leaf K levels and reduced leaf Mg levels. Time of fertigation did not affect leaf K levels, but early season fertigation resulted in higher leaf N levels.


HortScience ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 365-370 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jose A. Yuri ◽  
Claudia Moggia ◽  
Carolina A. Torres ◽  
Alvaro Sepulveda ◽  
Valeria Lepe ◽  
...  

Performance of seven apple (Malus ×domestica Borkh.) cultivars (‘Brookfield®Gala’, ‘Galaxy’, ‘Super Chief’, ‘Granny Smith’, ‘Fuji Raku Raku’, ‘Cripp's Pink’, and ‘Braeburn’) on M.M.106 and M.9 EMLA rootstocks during their first 6 years was evaluated on a multisite trial in Chile. Second-leaf trees were planted in experimental blocks inside commercial orchards located in five major apple-producing areas in Chile (Graneros, San Clemente, Chillan, Angol, and Temuco). Tree height and volume, trunk cross-sectional area (TCA), fruit yield and size distribution, crop load, and tree phenology were assessed annually. In general, tree growth rates by the end of the third year, when they reached the desired height, were similar in all block locations. M.9 EMLA rootstock reduced tree height by ≈20% in ‘Brookfield® Gala’, ‘Fuji’, ‘Galaxy’, and ‘Granny Smith’. This rootstock also had 50% smaller TCAs than M.M.106’s at Year 6 in most cultivars. The highest productions in ‘Brookfield®Gala’, ‘Galaxy’, ‘Granny Smith’, ‘Cripp's Pink’, and ‘Super Chief’, regardless of rootstock, were obtained in San Clemente and Chillan's blocks. Although M.M. 106 trees delivered higher yields per plant, M.9 EMLA yield efficiency (no. fruit/cm2 TCA) was significantly higher. In general, the higher the latitude (toward south), the later budbreak, full bloom, and harvest occurred.


2009 ◽  
Vol 89 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheryl R Hampson ◽  
R. McNew ◽  
J. Cline ◽  
C. Embree ◽  
C. Embree ◽  
...  

To evaluate their commercial potential in several major production regions of Canada, 10 Canadian breeding selections and two standard cultivars of apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.) were planted at four locations: one in British Columbia, two in Ontario and one in Nova Scotia. Subsidiary objectives of the trial were to determine whether wider testing of promising apple selections was warranted, and to accumulate information to help guide breeders in selecting apples for widespread adaptation. At each site the planting was arranged in a randomized complete block design with eight replicates. Individual trees were the unit of replication. Data were collected for 7 yr (5 cropping years). The measures of orchard performance recorded were: tree survival, trunk-cross sectional area, final tree height and canopy spread, precocity, times of bloom and harvest, yield, yield efficiency, and average fruit size. The effects of location, genotype and genotype × location interaction were statistically significant for all response variables. The two standard cultivars, Royal Gala and Summerland McIntosh, were intermediate to high in precocity, tree vigour, yield and fruit size. No single cultivar was superior in these characteristics at all locations. Among the test selections, S23-06-153 and 8S-27-43 had the most consistently good performance with regard to tree survival, tree vigour, yield, yield efficiency, pre-harvest fruit drop and fruit size. 8S6923 (Aurora Golden Gala™) and Silken also performed well, except that fruit size was smaller in eastern Canada. Many of the selections took fewer days to reach maturity in Nova Scotia and Ontario than they did in British Columbia. The results obtained suggest that regional testing is highly desirable for characteristics such as tree survival, yield, pre-harvest drop and climatic suitability (e.g. dates of bloom and harvest), all of which profoundly affect the commercial desirability of the cultivar. If the present results can be generalized, breeding and selection of new genotypes at one location are probably adequate for tree vigour, relative order of bloom and harvest, and precocity, despite the genotype × environment interaction demonstated. For these characteristics, the modest changes in rank among cultivars from location to location do not have great practical or economic consequences. Selection at one location may also be effective for fruit size and percentage of over colour, if the breeder takes location effects into account (smaller fruit in Ontario and Nova Scotia, less colour on early-harvest apples in British Columbia). Key words: Fruit breeding, cultivar testing


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