THE INFLUENCE OF TREE DENSITY ON TREE SIZE, YIELD AND FRUIT QUALITY OF ‘VAN’ SWEET CHERRIES

The performance of ‘Van’ sweet cherry on rootstocks F 12/1 at four tree densities (400, 500, 670 and 800 trees/ha) was compared over a period of 15 years, included 12 years of cropping.

Tree density exerted a pronounced effect on tree size.
Increasing the tree density from 400 to 800 trees/ha reduced the trunk circumference of 15 year old trees by 27 percent.

The annual yield of the lowest tree density (400 trees/ha) averaged 4.1 tons/ha.
By increasing tree density yield increased by 12.9, 51.4 and 44.6 percent for tree densities of 500, 670 and 800 trees/ha respectively.

Average fruit size was 8.7 g and was not affected by different tree densities.

Fruit quality as measured by the contents of soluble solids showed only a small decrease by increasing tree densities.
Fruit quality at all tree densities was well above the quality requirements of sweet cherries determined for the fresh fruit market.

IV International Symposium on Research and Development on Orchard and Plantation Systems

J. Ystaas

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1989.243.45