Articles
EFFECTS OF TREE DENSITY ON THE YIELDS OF THREE APPLE CULTIVARS
Article number
65_15
Pages
113 – 116
Language
Abstract
A tree density experiment was established at Ballygagin in 1968. Golden Delicious, Cox and James Grieve on M.9 were planted at densities of 3336, 2501, 1666 and 1250 trees/ha.
Fruit production over the period 1969–1975 was highest on Golden Delicious.
At the highest density this cultivar averaged 11 tonnes/ha in 1969 and 1970 and 50 tonnes/ha in each of the five subsequent years.
Corresponding yields at the lowest tree density were 3 and 23 tonnes/ha, respectively.
Production of Cox and James Grieve was 26% and 41% below that of Golden Delicious, respectively.
Yields were closely related to tree density throughout the 7-year period.
Fruit size was adequate on James Grieve, marginal on Golden Delicious and poor on Cox.
Planting density did not influence the fruit size of any cultivar.
Tree size and vegetative growth were assessed as trunk area.
Data on fruit production per unit of trunk area indicate that Cox trees were growing at the expense of fruiting, particularly at the highest density.
Results confirm the many advantages of Golden Delicious.
It performed best at the highest density.
Many trees of James Grieve failed to fill their allotted spaces.
Cox was the most difficult cultivar to manage.
Fruit production over the period 1969–1975 was highest on Golden Delicious.
At the highest density this cultivar averaged 11 tonnes/ha in 1969 and 1970 and 50 tonnes/ha in each of the five subsequent years.
Corresponding yields at the lowest tree density were 3 and 23 tonnes/ha, respectively.
Production of Cox and James Grieve was 26% and 41% below that of Golden Delicious, respectively.
Yields were closely related to tree density throughout the 7-year period.
Fruit size was adequate on James Grieve, marginal on Golden Delicious and poor on Cox.
Planting density did not influence the fruit size of any cultivar.
Tree size and vegetative growth were assessed as trunk area.
Data on fruit production per unit of trunk area indicate that Cox trees were growing at the expense of fruiting, particularly at the highest density.
Results confirm the many advantages of Golden Delicious.
It performed best at the highest density.
Many trees of James Grieve failed to fill their allotted spaces.
Cox was the most difficult cultivar to manage.
Publication
Authors
N.D. O’Kennedy
Keywords
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