BALTIC FRUIT ROOTSTOCK STUDIES: EVALUATION OF 12 ROOTSTOCKS FOR APPLE CULTIVAR AUKSIS

SCIENTIFIC WORKS OF THE LITHUANIAN INSTITUTE OF HORTICULTURE AND LITHUANIAN UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE. SODININKYSTË IR DARÞININKYSTË. 2006. 25(3). 334 341. BALTIC FRUIT ROOTSTOCK STUDIES: EVALUATION OF 12 ROOTSTOCKS FOR APPLE CULTIVAR AUKSIS Darius KVIKLYS, Nomeda KVIKLIENË Lithuanian Institute of Horticulture LT-54333 Babtai, Kauno distr., Lithuania. E-mail: d.kviklys@lsdi.lt Andris BITE, Janis LEPSIS Pure Horticultural Research Centre Pure, Tukuma distr., LV-3124, Latvia. E-mail: pures_dis@tukums.parks.lv Tamara LUKUT Brest Agricultural Experimental Station Pruzhany, Brest distr., 225140, Byelorussia Edgar HAAK Polli Horticultural Research Centre of the Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences of the Estonian University of Life Sciences, Karksi-Nuia 69104, Estonia. E-mail: polli@emu.ee. In the frame of Baltic fruit rootstock studies program apple trees of cultivar Auksis (Malus domestica Borkh.) grown on 12 dwarf rootstocks were planted in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Byelorussia in 2001 and evaluated for five years. Dwarf rootstocks included four selections from the Budagovski series (B.9, B.146, B.396, B.491), three from the Polish series (P 2, P 22, P 60), M.9, M.26, York 9, Bulboga (Moldavian selection) and Pure 1 (Latvian selection). The strongest tree growth was recorded in Lithuania and Byelorussia. The highest yields were obtained in Lithuania. All tested rootstocks according growth vigour control can be grouped in the following way: less vigour than M.9 P 22, the same as M.9 Pure 1, B.396, York 9, P.60, B.9 and P 2, between M.9 and M.26 B.491, the same or more vigorous as M.26 Bulboga and B.146. Trees on rootstocks Pure 1 gave the highest cumulative yield and were the most efficient although there was no significant difference in cumulative fertility index with trees growing on rootstocks P 22, P 2, M.9, B.9 and York 9. The least efficient were trees on rootstocks Bulboga and B.146. Rootstock and location interaction was recorded for B.491 and P.60 in growth vigour control, York 9 in total yield, and B.9 in yield efficiency. Key words: Malus domestica Borkh., growth, yield, fertility index, geographical location. 334

Introduction. The Baltic fruit rootstock studies program was initiated in 1998 and first trials planted in Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and Byelorussia in 2001 (Bite et al., 2004). The main attention in this program is paid to evaluation of apple rootstocks. Rootstock influence on tree performance depends on many factors: soil, climate, moisture, orchard management and etc. For this reason series of multi-site rootstock trials were established around the world (Autio et al., 2001; Maas, Wertheim, 2004; Robinsson et al., 2003, 2004; Wertheim, Callesen, 2000). In some multi-site trials it was established that site has the predominant influence on tree performance (Hirst, 2001; Hirst et al., 2001). There were observed that rootstock and location interacted to affect yield per tree and yield efficiency (Autio et al., 1990). It is important to have knowledge of this type of variation in rootstock performance when making recommendations to apple growers. The objective of the research was to study the effect of rootstocks on the growth and productivity of apple trees in different geographical locations and environmental conditions in North-East part of Europe. Materials and methods. The trial was carried out in Babtai, Lithuanian Institute of Horticulture (LT), Pure Horticultural Research Centre (LV), Polli Research Centre of the Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences of the Estonian University of Life Sciences (EST), and Pruzany, Brest Agricultural Experimental Station (BY) in 2001-2005. The geographical locations are following: Babtai in Lithuania 55 60 N, 23 48 E, Pure in Latvia 57 02 N, 22 52 E, Polli in Estonia 58 67 N, 25 33 E, and Pruzhany in Belarus, 52 33 N, 24 28 E. The soil humus content in Lithuania was 2.5%, P 2 O 5 255 mg per kg, K 2 O 230 mg per kg, in Latvia the soil humus content was 1.8%, P 2 O 5 189 mg per kg, K O 151 mg per kg., in Byelorussia 2 the soil humus content was 3.71%, P 2 O 5 397 mg per kg, K O 288 mg per kg. 2 Twelve vegetative propagated apple rootstocks M.26, M.9, York 9, B.9, B.396 (original name 62-396), B.146 (original name 57-146), B.491 (original name 57-491), P 60, P 22, P 2, Bulboga (Moldavian selection) and Pure 1 (Latvian selection) were tested with cultivar Auksis. Planting material was produced in the nursery of Pure Horticultural Research Centre. The orchards were planted in the spring of 2001 under the same scheme. Planting distances were 4x1.5 m. Trees were trained as slender spindles. The trial consisted of four replications with 3 trees in each. Replications were randomised. Tree growth was evaluated by stem diameter (mm), 30 cm above soil surface. Tree productivity was calculated as kg cm -2 of TCSA (tree cross sectional area) every year and cumulative fertility index (kg cm -2 of TCSA) was counted. Variance analysis was done with a LSD test using the ANOVA statistical program. Because of the inherent differences in variance among sites and for ease of analysis rootstock effects were analyzed individually according to location. In 2002 and 2004 spring frost-damaged blossoms and yield was not evaluated in Latvia and Estonia. For the same reason very low apple yield was recorded in Byelorussia in 2003 and in Lithuania in 2004. Results. Growth. Tree vigour was affected significantly by location. Trees in Lithuania and Byelorussia had the largest trunk diameter after 5 years, and 335

those in Latvia and Estonia had the smaller trunk diameter (Table 1). Table 1. Trunk diameter and increase of trunk diameter, mm 1 lentelë. Kamieno skersmuo ir jo padidëjimas, mm Rootstock Poskiepis Trunk diameter in 2005 Kamieno skersmuo 2005 m. LV LT EST BY average vidurkis Increase of trunk diameter, 2001 2005 Kamieno skersmens padidëjimas 2001 2005 m. LV LT EST BY average vidurkis M.9 33.5 40.1 31.5 43.1 37.0 19.3 22.3 18.0 29.6 22.3 M.26 42.6 51.0 39.8 52.7 46.5 24.9 33.0 23.8 36.0 29.4 B.146 47.7 58.2 42.0 53.4 50.3 26.0 39.0 23.0 34.3 30.6 Pure 1 36.9 41.3 32.8 41.4 38.0 17.5 23.1 16.5 25.2 20.6 B.396 35.2 38.0 35.3 42.4 37.7 19.7 21.4 20.5 28.1 22.4 York 9 35.1 43.0 32.5 41.4 38.0 16.2 23.7 14.5 23.6 19.5 P 60 38.7 44.2 30.5 46.3 39.9 23.3 26.2 17.5 30.6 24.4 Bulboga 47.3 63.3 49.3 58.3 54.5 27.2 40.4 32.8 40.6 35.3 B.9 36.4 45.0 31.3 41.9 38.7 19.6 24.7 16.5 26.5 21.8 B.491 35.1 46.0 37.0 51.2 42.3 19.3 28.7 22.5 35.9 26.6 P 22 28.4 35.1 26.0 38.4 32.0 12.2 16.1 13.5 22.4 16.1 P 2 35.6 37.2-40.1 37.6 20.4 21.4-25.6 22.5 Average Vidurkis 37.7 45.1 35.3 45.9 20.5 26.7 19.9 29.9 LSD 05 /R 05 3.85 4.62 3.87 4.43 2.52 2.15 1.91 2.43 Rootstock P 22 produced the smallest trees in all locations whereas Bulboga and B.146 produced the largest trees. For rootstock B.491 interaction between location and rootstock was observed. In Latvia its trunk diameter was similar to M.9, in Estonia and Byelorussia was similar to M.26. P 60 in Estonia grew as M.9, in other 3 places it was significantly more vigorous. Bulboga, B.146 and M.26 had the biggest trunk diameter increase during the five years in the orchard in all locations. The smallest increase was recorded for P 22. Some interactions between rootstock and location occurred: P 60 determined significantly bigger increase of trunk diameter than M.9 in Latvia and Lithuania, while in Estonia and Byelorussia they were similar. Rootstock B.491 grew in Latvia as M.9 but in other three locations significantly stronger. Y i e l d. The greatest cumulative (2002-2005) yield per tree was obtained in Lithuania, and the lowest one was obtained in Latvia and Estonia (Table 2). Trees on rootstock Pure 1 yielded the most in Latvia and Lithuania. In Estonia rootstock Pure 1 together with Bulboga gave the highest yield too. B.9 gave the highest yield in Byelorussia and was second in Latvia. York 9 performed well in Lithuania and Estonia, 336

but gave lower yield than trial mean in Latvia. Rootstock P60 showed good yielding capacity in Latvia and Byelorussia, average in Lithuania and lower in Estonia. Rootstock M.9 in three places averaged trial mean or less as in Latvia did. P 22 showed the lowest cumulative yield in Latvia and Estonia, and P 2 in Lithuania and Byelorussia. Overall in all places trees on rootstock Pure 1 gave the biggest yield, followed by Bulboga and York 9. The lowest cumulative yield was obtained from trees on P 22. Table 2. Rootstock effect on cumulative yield (kg/tree) of apple cv. Auksis in 2002 2005 depending on geographical location 2 lentelë. Poskiepiø átaka Auksio veislës obelø suminiam derliui (kg/vaism.) esant ávairioms agroklimatinëms sàlygoms Rootstock / Poskiepis LV LT EST BY Average / Vidurkis M.9 3.77 31.59 7.0 11.72 13.52 M.26 6.76 31.23 9.2 12.36 14.88 B.146 4.39 33.85 6.1 11.10 13.86 Pure 1 9.56 41.33 9.5 11.04 17.85 B.396 3.58 26.13 7.5 11.54 12.18 York 9 4.69 37.25 9.4 11.40 15.68 P 60 8.04 31.59 6.9 13.02 14.88 Bulboga 5.97 35.14 10.4 11.93 15.86 B.9 7.46 31.04 6.7 14.30 14.87 B.491 3.44 27.96 6.6 9.14 11.78 P 22 3.17 25.48 6.2 9.20 11.01 P 2 3.47 23.27-8.72 11.82 Average / Vidurkis 5.36 31.32 7.8 11.29 14.00 LSD 05 /R 05 1.21 4.22 1.45 2.34 Productivity. The most yield efficient trees were in Lithuania and the least efficient trees were in Latvia (Table 3). Trees on Pure 1 were the most efficient in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. Highly efficient trees in Lithuania were on rootstocks P 22, York 9, M.9, P 2 and B.9 too. In Latvia higher efficiency showed B.9 and P 60, in Estonia similar efficiency as Pure 1 was on rootstocks P 22 and York 9. B.9 was significantly more efficient than other rootstocks in BY. Overall, trees on Pure 1 were the most efficient, although trees growing on rootstocks P 22, P 2, M.9, B.9 and York 9 were similar. Trees on Bulboga and B.146 were the least efficient and they were the least efficient rootstocks in all locations. 337

Table 3. Rootstock effect on cumulative fertility index (kg cm -2 of TCSA) of apple cv. Auksis in 2002 2005 depending on geographical location 3 lentelë. Poskiepio átaka Auksio veislës suminiam produktyvumo indeksui (kg cm -2 kamieno skerspjûvio ploto) esant ávairioms agroklimatinëms sàlygoms Rootstock / Poskiepis LV LT EST BY Average /Vidurkis M.9 0.52 3.29 0.92 1.28 1.50 M.26 0.52 1.97 0.73 0.88 1.03 B.146 0.27 1.50 0.36 0.79 0.73 Pure 1 1.01 3.86 1.13 1.22 1.81 B.396 0.40 2.92 0.77 1.27 1.34 York 9 0.53 3.22 1.15 1.14 1.51 P 60 0.75 2.68 0.93 1.18 1.39 Bulboga 0.37 1.36 0.55 0.68 0.74 B.9 0.82 3.01 0.89 1.58 1.58 B.491 0.43 2.21 0.62 0.75 1.00 P 22 0.57 3.68 1.17 1.13 1.64 P 2 0.43 3.11-1.04 1.53 Average / Vidurkis 0.55 2.73 0.84 1.08 1.32 LSD 05 /R 05 0.15 0.50 0.18 0.24 Discussions. Obtained results clearly illustrate that the vigour and tree productivity induced by rootstocks depend on local climatic and soil conditions. Proper evaluation of rootstocks requires establishment of rootstock testing trials at different locations. All tested rootstocks according growth vigour control can be grouped in the following way: less vigour than M.9 P 22, the same as M.9 Pure 1, B.396, York 9, P 60, B.9 and P 2, between M.9 and M.26 B.491, the same or more vigorous as M.26 Bulboga and B.146. Such rootstock vigour range in some cases contradicts to results obtained in other trials, especially with rootstocks Budagovski. In Netherlands B.146 and B.491 are recorded as less vigorous than M.9 (Maas, Wertheim, 2004). In Great Britain B.146 produced trees that were more dwarfed than on M.27-EMLA. (Webster, Holland, 1999) and in USA B.491 was equal to P 22 and M.27 EMLA (Hirst, 2001). Rootstock interacted significantly with location affecting tree growth. More vigorous apple tree growth was recorded following North-South direction; however, the relative differences among rootstock within locations were similar and only some interactions occurred. 338

Cumulative yield varied between trial places. The highest yields were obtained in Lithuania three times bigger than in Byelorussia and 5-6 times than in Latvia and Estonia. The reason of such differences was severe spring frosts that damaged flowers and fruitlets in 2002 and 2004. Rootstock Pure 1 gave the greatest cumulative yield and had the highest fertility index. Pure 1 showed as the best rootstock in three places, except Byelorussia. Such findings overcome the results in earlier performed trials where rootstocks Pure 1 and B 9 had similar influence on tree vegetative growth and yields (Lepsis, 2004). In spite of productivity other characteristics of rootstock Pure 1, especially fruit quality, must be tested more carefully. The smallest trees tended to have the lowest yields per tree with the exception of Pure 1 and York 9, therefore typically trees growing on rootstocks P 22, and P 2 had the lowest yields at each site. On the other hand, the smallest trees usually are the most productive, what is declared in many trials (Kviklys, 2002; Kviklys et al., 1999). The same tendency was recorded in our trials too. The least productive trees were on strong growing rootstocks Bulboga, B.146, B.491 and M.26. In many multi-site trials interactions between rootstocks and location are recorded (Maas, Wertheim, 2004; NC-140, 1996a; NC-140, 1996b). Although the results reported for the overall study conducted over 12 locations throughout the U.S. suggest that the relative importance of the interaction of cultivar and location is low, however, this study did not include locations with dramatically different climatic conditions (Autio et al., 2001b). Greater interactions between rootstock and location may be seen if more divergent locations are included (Autio et al., 1990). In our trials interactions between rootstock and location was recorded for B.491 and P 60 in growth vigour control, York 9 in total yield, and B.9 in yield efficiency. Conclusions. 1. Rootstocks Bulboga, B.146, and M.26 depend to semi-dwarf rootstock group. 2. Rootstocks Pure 1, B.396, York 9, P.60, B.9 and P 2 are in the same vigour group as M.9. 3. Trees on rootstocks Pure 1 gave the highest cumulative yield and were the most efficient. The least efficient were trees on Bulboga and B.146 rootstocks. 4 Rootstock and location interaction was recorded for B.491 and P 60 in growth vigour control, York 9 in total yield, and B.9 in yield efficiency. Acknowledgement. This work was partly supported by Lithuanian State Science and Studies Foundation. Gauta 2006 06 08 Parengta spausdinti 2006 07 13 339

References 1. Autio W. R., Lord W. J., Veneman P. L. M. Rootstock and site influence performance of McIntosh apple trees. HortScience. 1990. 25. P. 1219-1221. 2. Autio W. R., Anderson J. L., Barden J. A., Brown G. R., Crassweller R. M., Domoto P. A., Erb A., Ferree D. C., Gaus A., Hirst P. M., Mullins C. A., Schupp J. R. Performance of Golden Delicious, Jonagold, Empire, and Rome Beauty apple trees on five rootstocks over ten years in the 1990 NC-140 cultivar/rootstock trial // Journal of the American Pomological Society. 2001 a. 55(3). P. 131-137. 3. Autio W. R., Anderson J. L., Barden J. A., Brown G. R., Crassweller R. M., Domoto P. A., Erb A., Ferree D. C., Gaus A., Hirst P. M., Mullins C. A., Schupp J. R. Location affects performance of Golden Delicious, Jonagol, Empire, and Rome Beauty apple trees on five rootstocks over ten years in the 1990 NC-140 cultivar/rootstock trial // Journal of the American Pomological Society. 2001 b. 55(3). P. 138-145. 4. Bite A., Kviklys D., Univer T., Lukut T. The beginning of the project Baltic fruit rootstock studies // Acta Horticulturae. 2004. 658(1). P. 437-440. 5. Maas F. M., Wertheim S. J. A multi-site rootstock trial with the apple cultivars Cox s Orange Pippin and Jonagold // Acta Horticulturae. 2004. 658(1). P. 177-184. 6. Hirst P. M. Early Performance of Gala on 18 dwarf and 4 semi-dwarf rootstocks growing at 24 sites in North America. Acta Hort. (ISHS). 2001. 557. P. 199-208. 7. Hirst P. M., Autio W. R., Barden J. A., Brown G. R., Crassweller R. M., Domoto P. A., Schupp J. R. Performance of trees in the 1990 NC-140 apple cultivar/rootstock planting: additional cultivars and rootstocks. Journal of the American Pomological Society. 2001. 55. P. 178-184. 8. Kviklys D. Apple rootstock research in Lithuania with aspect to fruit quality and tree productivity // Sodininkystë ir darþininkystë. 2002. 21(3). P. 3-13. 9. Kviklys D., Uselis N., Kviklienë N. Rootstock effect on Jonagold apple tree growth, yield and fruit quality // Apple rootstocks for intensive orchards. Warszawa, 1999. P. 67-69. 10. L epsis J. Evaluation of the apple clonal rootstock Pure 1 in the orchard with different pruning and training systems // Acta Horticulturae. 2004. 658. P. 173-176. 11. N C - 1 4 0. Performance of the NC-140 Cooperative Apple Rootstock Planting: I. Survival, tree size, yield and fruit size // Fruit Variety journal. 1996a. 50. P. 6-11. 12. NC-140. Performance of the NC-140 Cooperative Apple Rootstock Planting II: A 10- year summary of TCA, yield and yield efficiency at 31 sites // Fruit Variety journal. 1996 b. 50. P. 11-18. 13. Robinson T.L., Anderson L., Azarenko A., Barritt B. H., Brown G., Cline J., Crassweller R., Domoto P., Embree C., Fennell A., Ferree D., Garcia E., Gaus A., Greene G., Hampson C., Hirst P., Hoover E., Johnson S., Kushad M., Marini R. E. Performance of Cornell-Geneva rootstocks across North America in multi-location NC-140 rootstock trials // Acta Horticulturae. 2004. 658. P. 241-245. 340

14. Robinson T., Anderson L., Azarenko A., Barritt B., Baugher T., Brown G., Couvillon G., Cowgill W., Crassweller R., Domoto P., Embree C., Fennell A., Garcia E., Gaus A., Granger R., Greene G., Hirst P., Hoover E., Johnson S., Kushad M. Performance of Cornell-Geneva apple rootstocks with Liberty as the scion in NC-140 trials across North America // Acta Horticulturae. 2003. 622. P. 521-530. 15. W ebster A. D., Hollands M. S. Apple rootstock studies: comparison of Polish, Russian, USA and UK selections as rootstocks for the apple cultivar Cox s Orange Pippin (Malus domestica Borkh.) // The Journal of Horticultural Science and Biotechnology. 1999. 74(3). P. 367-374. 16. W e r t h e i m S. J., C allesen O. Results of multi-site interstem trials with apple trees. Gartenbauwissenschaft. 2000. 65(6). P. 251-259. SODININKYSTË IR DARÞININKYSTË. MOKSLO DARBAI. 2006. 25(3). 334 341. BALTIJOS POSKIEPIØ TYRIMAI: 12 POSKIEPIØ ÁVERTINIMAS ATLIEKANT TYRIMUS SU AUKSIO VEISLËS OBELIMIS D. Kviklys, N. Kviklienë, A. Bite, J. Lepsis, T. Lukut, E. Haak Santrauka Vykdant Baltijos poskiepiø tyrimø programà, 2001 m. Auksio veislës obelø su 12 þemaûgiø poskiepiø sodai buvo áveisti Latvijoje, Lietuvoje, Estijoje ir Baltarusijoje. Tirti Rusijos Budagovskio selekcijos poskiepiai B.9, B.146, B.396 ir B.491, Lenkijos P serijos poskiepiai P 2, P 22 ir P 60, Vokietijos York 9, Latvijos Pure 1, Moldovos Bulboga bei M.9 ir M.26 poskiepiai. Veðliausiai vaismedþiai augo Lietuvos ir Baltarusijos sàlygomis, o gausiausiai derëjo Lietuvoje. Pagal vaismedþiø augumo ribojimà poskiepiai sugrupuoti ðia tvarka: maþesni uþ M.9 P 22, tokio pat augumo kaip M.9 Pure 1, B.396, York 9, P 60, B.9 ir P 2, tarpiniai tarp M.9 ir M.26 B.491, tokio pat augumo kaip M.26 Bulboga ir B.146. Didþiausià suminá derliø davë vaismedþiai su Pure 1 poskiepiu. Jie buvo ir produktyviausi, nors vaismedþiø su P 22, P 2, M.9, B.9 ir York 9 poskiepiais suminio produktyvumo esminiø skirtumø nenustatyta. Maþiausiai produktyvûs buvo Bulboga ir B.146 poskiepiai. Nustatytos sàveikos tarp poskiepio ir auginimo vietos: vaismedþiø augumo ribojimo poskiepiai B.491 ir P 60, suminio derliaus York 9, produktyvumo B.9 poskiepis. Reikðminiai þodþiai: augumas, derlius, geografinë vietovë, Malus domestica Borkh., produktyvumo indeksas. 341