Assessment of apple cultivars for organic fruit cultivation
Lithuania, Lithuanian Institute of Horticulture, Orchard management department, Kauno 30,LT-54333 Babtai, Kaunas distr., Lithuania; e-mail j.lanauskas@lsdi.lt
Abstract:
In 2005–2008 apple tree cultivars and selections were tested at the Lithuanian Institute of Horticulture in an organic apple tree orchard. Apple trees on rootstock B.396 were spaced at distances of 4 x 2 m; the orchard floor was a cultivated soil. The bioinsecticide Bioshower against aphids was applied once a year, fungicides were not used. Apple trees of cultivars. ‘Pilot’ and ‘Pinova’ were significantly affected by apple scab (Venturia inaequalis Cke. Wint), and ‘Lodel’ – by apple powdery mildew (Podosphaera leucotricha (Ellis et Everh.) Salm).Apple trees of the cultivar. ‘Aldas’ and selection 18501 were the most vigorous. In 2007–2008 the greatest average yield was from the cultivars ‘Florina’, ‘Rosana’, selections 20,490 and 22,1709.1–14.7 t ha-1. These same cultivars and selections were the most yield efficient. The greatest average fruit weight was from cultivar. ‘Witos’ (272 g), the smallest from the cultivars ‘Pilot’, ‘Pinova’, ‘Goldrush’ and ‘Lodel’ (111–137 g). The highest taste score was from ‘Goldstar’, ‘Rubinola’, ‘Topaz’, ‘Rajka’ and ‘Lodel’ apples.
Key words:
apple scab, fruit weight, taste, yield