Acta Univ. Agric. Silvic. Mendelianae Brun. 2017, 65(4), 1241-1245 | DOI: 10.11118/actaun201765041241

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

Martin Mészáros1, Luděk Laňar1, Josef Sus2, Jan Náměstek1
1 Department of Technology, Research and Breeding Institute of Pomology Holovousy Ltd., Holovousy 129, 508 01 Hořice, Czech Republic
2 Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00 Prague 6 - Suchdol, Czech Republic

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 ø 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.

Keywords: malus, summer pruning, tree size, woody biomass, growth vigor, yield, "click"
Grants and funding:

The research was supported by the Ministry of Agriculture of the Czech Republic with project No. QJ1210104, by the infrastructure of the project No. CZ.1.05/2.1.00/03.0116. of Pomology Research Institute within the Operation Programme Research and Development for Innovations and LO1608 - Pomology Research Center within the National Sustainable Development Strategy.

Published: September 1, 2017  Show citation

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Mészáros, M., Laňar, L., Sus, J., & Náměstek, J. (2017). Comparison of Two Training Methods Applied to Apple Trees Trained to Slender Spindle During the First Years After Planting. Acta Universitatis Agriculturae et Silviculturae Mendelianae Brunensis, 65(4), 1241-1245. doi: 10.11118/actaun201765041241
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