EFFECTS OF LAND CAPABILITY ON APPLE PRODUCTION IN SOUTHERN ONTARIO

Abstract

The effects of land capability on apple production were evaluated for 171 semi-dwarf trees (var. McIntosh on E.M. VII rootstocks) located in 19 orchards in Southern Ontario. Soil, climatic and management variables were analyzed using stepwise regression analysis. Approximately 82% of the yield variation was explained by 12 variables; climatic and management variables accounted for the largest portion of the variation. Most of the soil variables were related to soil drainage characteristics or water retention properties. Land capability class provided a reasonable prediction of potential apple yield. Average apple yield for classes 1 to 4 were 0.85, 0.71, 0.60 and 0.47 kg/cm2, respectively. Subclass limits are proposed for each of the soil characteristics. The most productive lands consisted of soils with loamy sand to sandy loam solums underlain by medium to fine textured II C horizons. There was a poor correlation between apple yield and the lower categorical levels of soil classification, i.e. series and type.