scholarly journals Root Pruning and Trunk Scoring Have Limited Effect on Young Bearing Apple Trees

HortScience ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 981-984 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen S. Miller
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Size ◽  
Shoot Length ◽  
Root Pruning ◽  
Trickle Irrigation ◽  
Apple Trees ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Practical Advantage ◽  
Deep Well ◽  
Golden Delicious ◽  
Terminal Shoot

To control excessive growth, vigorous `Smoothee Golden Delicious', `Jonagold', `Empire', and `Gala' apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) cultivars on Malling 7A (M.7A) rootstock planted at close in-row spacing (2.5 or 1.8 m) were mechanically root-pruned (RP), trunk-scored (TS; ringing), or both, annually for 3 to 5 years beginning in the fourth leaf. Trees were grown in a deep, well-drained, fertile soil and supplied with trickle irrigation. RP reduced terminal shoot length in 2 of 5 years on `Smoothee Golden Delicious'; trunk cross-sectional area (TCSA) was not affected by RP. TS reduced terminal length in 3 years and TCSA in each of 5 years of treatment on `Smoothee Golden Delicious'. Bloom density was not affected by RP on `Smoothee Golden Delicious' but was increased by TS in two of the three years measured. RP reduced terminal shoot length in `Gala', `Empire', and `Jonagold' in most years and TCSA in 1993 for all cultivars. TS had no effect on shoot length or TCSA in these three cultivars. Effects of RP and TS on yield and fruit size varied with year and cultivar. In general, the effects of RP and TS were inconsistent and often failed to reduce shoot growth or canopy spread. No practical advantage was recognized from these techniques for young apple trees growing on a fertile site with trickle irrigation.

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.

scholarly journals EFFECT OF ROOT PRUNING AND CHEMICAL THINNING ON GROWTH AND FRUITING OF `McINTOSH' APPLE TREES.

HortScience ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 25 (9) ◽  
pp. 1153b-1153
Author(s):  
James R. Schupp ◽  
Highmoor Farm
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Set ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
Shoot Length ◽  
Root Pruning ◽  
Full Bloom ◽  
Apple Trees ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Fruit Drop ◽  
Napthaleneacetic Acid ◽  
Fruit Diameter

Mature `McIntosh'/MM.111 apple (Malus domestica, Borkh.) trees were treated to evaluate the response of root pruned trees to chemical thinning and to determine if reducing the crop load increased fruit size on root pruned trees. The trees were root pruned at full bloom in 1988 and 1989, by cutting on both sides of the row 1m from the trunk and 30cm deep. Water, 600mg/liter carbaryl, 5mg/liter napthaleneacetic acid (NAA), or NAA plus carbaryl were applied when fruit diameter was approximately 10mm. Trunk cross-sectional area (TCSA) was increased by thinning treatments in 1988, but root pruning had no effect. In 1989, root pruning reduced TCSA increment by 35%. Shoot length was reduced by root pruning both years. All treatments reduced percent fruit set in 1989, however root pruned trees and trees treated with NAA had the highest fruit numbers at harvest. Preharvest fruit drop was reduced by root pruning in both 1988 and 1989. Root pruning had no influence on the response of apple trees to chemical thinning. Removing a portion of the crop with chemical thinners was partially successful in counteracting the reduction in fruit size caused by root pruning.

scholarly journals Time of Root Pruning Influences Vegetative Growth, Fruit Size, Biennial Bearing, and Yield of `Jonathan' Apple

1992 ◽  
Vol 117 (2) ◽  
pp. 198-202 ◽  
Author(s):  
David C. Ferree
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Size ◽  
Net Photosynthesis ◽  
Soluble Solids ◽  
Root Pruning ◽  
Severe Drought ◽  
Cumulative Yield ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Biennial Bearing ◽  
Solids Concentration ◽  
Terminal Shoot

`Jonathan'/M.26 apple (Malus domestics Borkh.) trees were root-pruned annually on two sides, 60 cm from the trunk, to a depth of 40 cm for 6 years while dormant, at bloom, or in mid-June. Root pruning reduced terminal shoot growth by ≈30% in 1985-89 with no influence in 1990. Cumulative yield was reduced by root pruning at bloom (14%) or mid-June (20%), and cumulative yield efficiency [kg·cm-2 trunk cross-sectional area) was reduced by root pruning with no difference among pruning times except in 1 year, where abundant moisture throughout the season appeared to negate the effect. The intensity of biennial bearing was reduced by root pruning with no relationships to time of pruning. Root pruning resulted in a decrease in large fruit and an increase in small fruit in 3 of the 6 years. A covariant analysis with yield showed that root pruning reduced average fruit size. Root-pruned trees produced firmer fruit with an increased soluble solids concentration and had less preharvest drop than nonpruned trees. Under severe drought conditions in 1988, root pruning reduced net photosynthesis and transpiration; supplemental water (57 liters·week-1) increased transpiration and fruit size at harvest.

scholarly journals Growth and Productivity of Vigorous `Northern Spy'/MM.106 Apple Trees in Response to Annually Applied Growth Control Techniques

1990 ◽  
Vol 115 (2) ◽  
pp. 212-218 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.C. Elfving ◽  
R.A. Cline
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Set ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
Growth Control ◽  
Shoot Length ◽  
Apple Trees ◽  
Bud Formation ◽  
Control Techniques ◽  
Terminal Bud ◽  
Time Required ◽  
Growth Regulator Treatment

Beginning in 1982, daminozide (DZ) was applied annually for 5 years to whole, 5-year-old `Northern Spy'/MM.106 (Malus domestics Borkh.) trees: a) shortly after bloom, b) together with ethephon (ETH) 6 to 7 weeks after bloom, or c) after harvest. Controls were unsprayed. One-half of the trees receiving each growth regulator treatment were summer-pruned after terminal-bud formation each year. Postharvest DZ reduced shoot numbers, mean shoot length, trunk enlargement, and fruit size, but had little or no effect on bloom, fruit set, or yield. Postbloom DZ, summer DZ plus ETH, and summer-pruning reduced vegetative growth and time required for dormant-pruning, but only postbloom DZ and summer DZ plus ETH increased spur density in the tree. Postbloom DZ and summer DZ plus ETH increased both flowering and cropping in 3 of the 5 years, with little effect on fruit set. Fruit size was reduced only in years when cropping was enhanced. Total yields (1982-86) were increased 34% and 36% by postbloom DZ and summer DZ plus ETH, respectively. Summer-pruning had no effect on fruit size in any year, but reduced yields in 1984 and 1986. Year-to-year fluctuation in yield was unaffected by any treatment. Growth-control treatments had no direct effect on foliar or fruit macronutrient concentrations. Chemical names used: butanedioic acid mono (2,2-dimethylhydrazide) (daminozide); 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid (ethephon).

scholarly journals EFFECTS OF SEVERAL GROWTH CONTROLLING TECHNIQUES ON APPLE TREES

HortScience ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 27 (11) ◽  
pp. 1162c-1162
Author(s):  
Wesley R. Autio ◽  
Duane W. Greene
Keyword(s):  
Tree Growth ◽  
Fruit Set ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
Root Pruning ◽  
Apple Trees ◽  
The Third ◽  
Flesh Firmness ◽  
Bitter Pit ◽  
Spray Treatment

In 1991, experiments were conducted to assess the effects of several growth controlling techniques on tree growth and fruit set, abscision, ripening, and other qualities. The first two experiments assessed the effects of root pruning (4-8 days after petal fall, 1 m from the trunk, 30 cm deep) in commercial orchards. Compared to controls, root pruning reduced fruit abscision from mature `Cortland'/M.7A trees by 70% on 17 Sept. In another orchard, root pruning reduced fruit abscision from mature `McIntosh'/MM.106 trees by 47% on 24 Sept. The third experiment utilized vigorous `Gardiner Delicious'/MM.106 trees. Treatments included root pruning (as described above), trunk scoring (single, complete circle, approximately 40 cm from the soil), trunk ringing (single, complete circle, 1 mm wide, approximately 40 cm from the soil), ethrel spray treatment (500 ppm), and dormant-pruned and unpruned controls. Treatments were applied on 15 May, when terminal growth was 12-15 cm. No treatment affected fruit set. Trunk growth was less for ringed and scored trees than other treatments. Ringing and scoring advanced ripening compared to controls, and ethrel resulted in intermediate ripening. Treatments had no effect on fruit size, flesh firmness, or the development of bitter pit and cork spot. Fruit abscision was least from controls and root-pruned trees. Trees that were treated with ethrel in May had the most rapid abscision rate.

scholarly journals PERFORMANCE OF MECHANICAL ROOT PRUNING OR HEDGING IN AN INTENSIVE ORCHARD

HortScience ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 25 (9) ◽  
pp. 1122c-1122
Author(s):  
David C. Ferree
Keyword(s):  
Unit Volume ◽  
Shoot Growth ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
Shoot Length ◽  
Root Pruning ◽  
Cumulative Yield ◽  
Free Standing ◽  
Canopy Volume ◽  
Apple Cultivars ◽  
Annual Summer

In 1981, four apple cultivars were established as a low trellis hedgerow on M.9 or free-standing central leaders on M.7 at the recommended or half the recommended spacing with the close planted trees either root pruned annually at bloom or hedged in August. Planting at half the spacing and annual summer hedging 2 sides decreased TCA 25% and canopy volume 51% with no effect on shoot growth, while annual root pruning decreased TCA 34%, canopy volume 50% and shoot length 25%. Planting at half spacing and either hedging or root pruning reduced yields per tree. Efficiency as measured by yield TCA was decreased by hedging and as measured by yield/m3 canopy volume was increased by both treatments with hedging having the greatest effect. The cumulative yield/ha was increased by both hedging and root pruning with no difference between them. Fruit size was decreased by close planting and root pruning caused a greater decrease than hedging. Close planting increased the number of spurs and shoots and LAI per unit volume of canopy with no difference between hedging or root pruning. `Empire' outproduced `Smoothee' and `Delicious' on the trellis and `Lawspur' had higher yields than any other cultivar in the central leader.

scholarly journals Response of Micropropagated Apple Trees to Field Establishment Procedures

HortScience ◽  
1991 ◽  
Vol 26 (11) ◽  
pp. 1364-1365 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard H. Zimmerman
Keyword(s):  
Cold Storage ◽  
Vegetative Growth ◽  
Shoot Growth ◽  
Cultural Practices ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
First Year ◽  
Sectional Area ◽  
Apple Trees ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Terminal Shoot

Growth, flowering, and fruiting of micropropagated `Jonathan' apple trees (Malus domestica Borkh.) transferred in Spring 1983 to the field from either a nursery, cold storage, or greenhouse were compared. First-year shoot and trunk growth was greatest for trees transplanted from the nursery and least for trees that were held in the greenhouse before being transferred to the field. Trees pruned low (35 cm) at planting time had more terminal shoot growth and less trunk cross-sectional area after the first growing season than those pruned high (90 cm). The effect of preplanting cultural practices on vegetative growth diminished in the 2nd year and disappeared by the end of the 3rd year in the orchard. Flowering began in 1985 and was only slightly affected by preplanting cultural practices and pruning treatments. Fruiting was not affected by the treatments.

Effect of timing of hand thinning on the cropping potential of Red Fuji apple trees

1992 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 417 ◽  
Author(s):  
KM Jones ◽  
SA Bound ◽  
TB Koen ◽  
MJ Oakford
Keyword(s):  
Strong Correlation ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
Research Station ◽  
Full Bloom ◽  
Apple Trees ◽  
Fruit Crop ◽  
Golden Delicious ◽  
Fuji Apple

In a hand-thinning trial of 6-year-old Red Fuji apple trees on seedling rootstocks at the Grove Research Station in southern Tasmania, unthinned controls were compared with trees that were hand-thinned between full bloom and 56 days after full bloom. Trees were thinned to about 200 flowers or fruit per tree. The response of fruit size and weight to later thinning was negative and linear (R2=0.72). This regression was not significantly affected if adjusted for the varying fruit crop per tree. It is concluded that in Australia, Red Fuji is capable of producing larger fruit at higher crop loads than either Red Delicious or Golden Delicious and that thinning at blossom produces much larger fruit than later thinning. Because of the strong correlation between Red Fuji fruit size or weight and time of thinning, we conclude that it is preferable to thin at blossom time.

scholarly journals Effects of Application Conditions and Adjuvants on Chemical Fruit Thinning of Apple

HortScience ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 525B-525
Author(s):  
E.W. Stover ◽  
M.J. Fargione ◽  
R.A. Risio ◽  
C.I. Mulvihill
Keyword(s):  
High Temperature ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
Naphthalene Acetic Acid ◽  
Seed Number ◽  
Apple Trees ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Drying Time ◽  
Fruit Thinning ◽  
Cool Conditions ◽  
Spray Treatment

In 1995, effects of adjuvants on fruit thinning with Accel [10:1 ratio of 6-benzyladenenine (BA):GA4&7] at 75 ppm BA were studied. Silwet L-77 was used at 0.027% (v/v). Regulaid and ultrafine spray oil were used at 0.125% (v/v). Treatments also included unthinned controls, NAA (naphthalene acetic acid) at 7.5 ppm plus 600 ppm carbaryl, and Accel plus 600 ppm carbaryl. `Empire' apple trees on M.9/MM.111 rootstock in Milton, N.Y., were used in the 6th leaf. Trees were blocked by number of blossom clusters/cm2 trunk cross sectional area. Applications were made at 1.5x concentration, using tree-row volume to calculate appropriate dilute volume. Each spray treatment was applied near the high temperature on each of three consecutive days around 10-mm king fruitlet diameter. Conditions were as follows: day 1–high temperature of 19°C with moderate drying time, and rain several hours after application; day 2–high temperature of 15.5°C and prolonged drying; and day-3–high temperature of 21.1°C and moderate drying. All treatments significantly thinned and enhanced fruit size compared to unthinned controls. Application conditions (treatment day) did not significantly affect response when compared within any spray treatment. However, in combined analyses, treatment with Accel or Accel with Regulaid resulted in significantly smaller fruit on day 1, when rain followed application, compared to these treatments on other days, or compared to Accel with other adjuvants on day 1. Accel with carbaryl resulted in largest fruit size and cropload reduction, but significantly reduced seed number/fruit. It is postulated that prolonged drying times occurring in cool conditions can compensate for reduced uptake rate at lower temperatures.

scholarly journals 503 Effect of Source and Timing of Potassium Fertilizer on `Empire' Apple Tree Growth, Yield, and Fruit Quality

HortScience ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 481C-481
Author(s):  
Terence L. Robinson ◽  
Warren Stiles
Keyword(s):  
Tree Growth ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
Growth Yield ◽  
Sectional Area ◽  
Potassium Fertilizer ◽  
Trickle Irrigation ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Early Season ◽  
Red Color ◽  
Area Increase

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.

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