Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment
Effects of combined pruning treatments on fruit quality and biennial bearing of ‘Elstar’ apple (Malus domestica Borkh.)
Author(s):
Nikola Pavičić,
Martina Skendrović Babojelić, Tomislav Jemrić, Zoran Šindrak *, Tomislav Ćosić, Tomislav Karažija, Danijel ĆosićRecieved Date: 2009-01-11, Accepted Date: 2009-04-19
Abstract:The effect of four combined pruning treatments on yield, fruit weight (season 2003 and 2004), soluble solids content (SSC), total acid (TA), SSC/TA ratio and mineral content of ‘Elstar’ apples after storage for 16 weeks in air (season 2004) were studied. These treatments included canopy pruning with root pruning and trunk girdling, canopy pruning with root pruning, canopy pruning with trunk girdling, and solely canopy pruning. Root and canopy pruning with or without trunk girdling resulted in higher yield but did not affect fruit weight. Treatments with root pruning caused the lowest biennial bearing. Fruits of the trees, which were treated only with canopy pruning, had the highest N content. Fruits of the canopy and root pruned trees, with or without trunk girdling, had lower contents of the fruit P. Fruits of the trees, which were treated with canopy pruning and trunk girdling, had the highest total Ca content. Fruit water-soluble magnesium (WS Mg) was significantly different among treatments. Zn content was lower in trunk girdled and root pruned trees. Fruits of the trunk girdled trees had higher manganese contents. Fruits of the trees, which were treated only with canopy pruning, had significantly highest Cu content. Results show that root pruning combined with canopy pruning is effective method for reducing biennial bearing in ‘Elstar’ apple. Besides application in conventional fruit production, it is also applicable for organically produced fruits since it does not include use of growth regulators, or any other chemical compounds. Root pruning combined with canopy pruning can significantly increase tree productivity. Besides, this combined pruning treatment can stabilize yield without a negative effect on fruit quality. This practice can be safely recommended without a risk of negative effect on fruit quality.
Keywords:‘Elstar’ apple,
canopy pruning, root pruning, trunk girdling, yield, fruit weight, mineral content, tree productivityJournal: Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment
Year: 2009
Volume: 7
Issue: 2
Category: Agriculture
Pages: 510-515
Full text for Subscribers
Information:
Note to users
The requested document is freely available only to subscribers/registered users with an online subscription to the Journal of Food, Agriculture & Environment. If you have set up a personal subscription to this title please enter your user name and password. All abstracts are available for free.
Article purchasing
If you like to purchase this specific document such as article, review or this journal issue, contact us. Specify the title of the article or review, issue, number, volume and date of the publication. Software and compilation, Science & Technology, all rights reserved. Your use of this website details or service is governed by terms of use. Authors are invited to check from time to time news or information.
Purchase this Article: 20 Purchase PDF Order Reprints for 15
Share this article :