Physiological basics of sweet cherry productivity depending on rootstocks, interstems and plant density

Abstract

AbstractOptical and physiological parameters in sweet cherry tree canopies at different plant density and rootstock-interstem-scion combinations were studied in order to identify the combinations that would ensure optimal passage of photosynthesis and increase yield and fruit quality. It was shown that cherry cultivars react differently to varying plant density depending on their growth habit and thus require different planting schemes. Leaves in the periphery of tree canopy had higher dry matter content per unit of leaf surface area (LSA) and increased net photosynthetic productivity (NPP) compared to leaves in the center of the canopy. This can be related to higher light interception (LI) levels in peripheral zones of the tree. Trees on interstems had higher yield than trees on own-root clonal rootstock. The complex of photosynthetic and yield indices allowed to select the best scion-rootstock-density combinations: for ‘Melitopolska chorna’ cultivar – Krymsk 5 and Gisela 5 interstems with 5 x 3 m planting scheme; for ‘Krupnoplidna’ cultivar – Gisela 5 interstem (5 x 3 m) and Krymsk 5 interstem (5 x 4 m).