Preliminary results regarding natural tendency of feathering and growth habits of some apple scion-rootstock combinations, in the nursery

Abstract

There were studied several scion cultivars in the nursery regarding natural tendency of feathering at Fruit Research and Development Station Bistrita in 2015. The goal of the study was to assess the natural behavior of forming preformed shoots of several scion-rootstock combinations in the first year after grafting. Several researches showed that not only grafted scion has a direct effect on the sylleptic branching of fruit trees and feathering but also the rootstock has an important influence. The studied scion-rootstock combination were: Florina/M106, Florina/M26, Ionathan/M106, Ionathan/M26. Results indicate that the hypothesis that not only the cultivar but also the rootstock influences the emergence of the feathers is confirmed, medium to strong vigor rootstock M106 induces feathering on Florina cultivar naturally (average number of 3.13 shoots), probable the more complex and dense root system provides sufficient nutrients in order to promote lateral branching. Medium feathering was observed also at Starkprim cultivar on M106 rootstock (2,8 shoots), not included in the statistical analysis but observed in singular combination, showed high sylleptic shoot formation. Even more sylleptic shoots were formed in the vigorous combination of Auriu de Bistrita cultivar on M106 (3,8 shoots) also not included in the analysis in this experimental phase. Based on these results in further researches using agro-technical methods like pinching in optimum time intervals , foliar fertilizing and other techniques we will study and develop good feathered trees with more lateral shoots and strong root system in order to provide quality planting material for farmers.