Adaptability patterns of cherry genotypes to diverse South African growing conditions

Lack of winter chill is one of the main environmental factors influencing the adaptability of deciduous fruit trees in South Africa.
Data on numerous parameters relating to phenology and tree architecture on ten diverse cherry (Prunus avium) genotypes planted in three diverse growing regions in South Africa were collected during the past two seasons.
The data was investigated using multi-environmental (MET) ANOVA approach.
Analysis of additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) and genotype plus genotype environment interaction (GGE) biplots were used in cases where significant genotype (G) × environment (E) interaction resulted from MET ANOVA. Results indicate that chill models complicate interpretation of the chilling requirements of the genotypes due to G×E interactions and non-stability and that higher levels of growing degree days (GDD) in a low winter chill environment before bud break, may be an explanation for more vigorous growth mainly in the basal part of the tree.
It was recorded that tree height and filling of the vertical space were achieved by most genotypes and in all environments by the second growing season.
Genotypes which are probably best adapted at their present growing stage based on a balanced tree architecture are ‘Royal Hazel’, ‘Royal Tioga’ and ‘Sequoia’. They can be seen as general adapted genotypes for these traits.
The medium chill region has shown to be a unique environment for cherry production which may have some unexploited benefits of both the colder and warmer environments.

XXXI International Horticultural Congress (IHC2022): International Symposium on Innovative Perennial Crops Management

I. Labuschagné, C. van Wyk, M. Booyse, W.J. Steyn, E.D. Louw

Prunus avium, genotype × environment interaction, tree architecture, bud break, chilling requirement

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2023.1366.44