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SEASONAL VEGETATIVE AND FRUIT GROWTH PATTERN OF MATURE CLOSE PLANTED ‘SUNDROP’ APRICOT TREES GROWN UNDER HUMID CLIMATE
This study was carried out to monitor the seasonal pattern of vegetative and fruit growth of ‘Sundrop’ apricot trees in order to facilitate orchard management under high density planting and humid conditions.
Samples of new seasons shoots and fruit were destructively harvested throughout the season (59, 97, 131 and 225 dafb) from some close planted trees.
Shoots were divided into leaves and stem, and leaf area was measured.
The fresh and dry weight of each plant part (leaves, stem and fruits) were recorded after harvest.
Results show that as a proportion of total top growth, shoots increased significantly from 97 dafb, especially on a dry weight basis.
While leaf growth was a major early contributor to new growth, it’s relative contribution to total growth declined through the season to only 20% of dry weight at 225 dafb.
The fruit as a proportion of new top growth increased on both a fresh and dry weight basis, until the time of fruit harvest, and fruits showed a sharp increase in size up to the time of harvest, but this increase was influenced by fruit number.
The highest proportion of early season top growth was in shoots with leaves, but from about 90 dafb this proportion decreased in favour of fruits until harvest.
There was a large increase in fruit size during stage III of fruit growth (from 97 dafb), while shoot growth was most rapid during 60–90 dafb. ‘Sundrop’ apricot trees tended to produce a high proportion (≈ 50%) of their growth in the top canopy zone in the absence of any growth controlling treatment.