COMPARATIVE ASSESSMENT OF GROWTH AND CROPPING OF SOUR CHERRY TREES GRAFTED ON ‘MAHALEB’ SEEDLINGS OR OWN-ROOTED FROM IN VITRO PROPAGATION

Growth and yield potential of sour cherry (Prunus cerasus L.) trees originated in vitro (TC trees) and grafted on P. mahaleb (L.) seedlings were compared.
Three cultivars, ‘Läti Madalkirss’, ‘Nõmme Liivakirss’ and ‘Kampesur’ were used in the trial.
The orchard was established in spring 1998 at the Polli Horticultural Institute in South Estonia.
The plant material for propagation in vitro and for grafting was taken from the same mother tree.
The following characteristics were compared: trunk cross-section area (TCSA), yield, weight of 100 fruits and winter damage.
The trees of all cultivars flowered abundantly in 2000, but late spring frosts killed the flowers.
The first yield was obtained in 2001. It was observed that TC trees were more vigorous than grafted trees.
In the first year of cropping, TC trees had higher yields compared to grafted trees.
Tree damage in winter 2001/2002 was more serious on grafted trees than on TC trees.

V International Cherry Symposium

L. Klaas, H. Jänes, K. Kahu

Prunus cerasus, P. mahaleb, yield

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2008.795.66