Articles
SOIL SUITABILITY FOR SWEET CHERRY CULTURE ON A DWARFING ROOTSTOCK
In the first year of this study 22 soil types were compared.
In the second year the number of soil types was limited and more emphasis was put on water retention and O2-availability in the soil.
The soil type was defined by texture, winter groundwater level, profile development, the presence of a substrate and its depth.
Concerning the soil water balance, the pF-curve of each site was determined and the period during which the soil was waterlogged in winter.
The tree growth characteristics measured were stem diameter, number of shoots, shoot length and number of flower buds per scaffold surface.
Tree health was evaluated by the leaf aspect and the occurrence of Pseudomonas.
A significant influence of the physical soil conditions on the growth and health characteristics of the trees was found.
Substrate soils showed less water retention in summer and longer periods of waterlogging and O2-deficiency in winter than deep loamy soils.
Especially disturbances of the water balance or soil structure deterioration were found to have strong negative effects on the vegetative and generative growth and possibly cause tree mortality.