Soil exhaustion and rootstock effect on the growth of apple planting material
Lithuanian Institute of Horticulture, Kauno 30, LT–54333 Babtai, Kaunas distr., Lithuania,e-mail: d.kviklys@lsdi.lt
Abstract:
Apple rootstocks P 59, P 22, P 2, P 60, M.9, M.26, MM.106, B.118 (54–118), B.396 (62–396) and ‘Antonowka‘ seedlings were tested at the Lithuanian Institute of Horticulture in fresh soil and in soil previously used for an apple nursery. Replanting had a negative effect on the development of apple tree propagation material in the nursery. Bud survival of cv. ‘Sampion’ decreased by 24% compared to those in fresh soil. Other tree growth parameters were suppressed as well: tree height by 29%, trunk diameter by 24%, average leaf area by 28%, and absolutely dry leaf weight by 33%. Combining all parameters it could be concluded that apple trees of cv. ‘Sampion’ on P 59 and P 60 rootstocks are the most sensitive to soil exhaustion, whereas trees on P 2 and B.396 rootstocks show tolerance to replanting.
Key words:
Malus sp., nursery, replanting, rootstock, vegetative growth