EFFECT OF CLONAL ROOTSTOCKS ON GROWTH, CROPPING AND PHYSIOLOGY OF APPLE CULTIVARS SCARLET GALA AND RED FUJI
Loading...
Date
2012
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
ABSTRACT
The present investigation entitled “Effect of clonal rootstocks on growth, cropping and physiology of apple
cultivars Scarlet Gala and Red Fuji” was undertaken in Fruit Research Station, Seobag, Kullu during 2008 and 2009. The
whole programme of work under this study was carried out with the objectives to assess the effect of clonal rootstocks on
growth, vigour and cropping of scion cultivars and to study the effect of clonal rootstocks on foliar mineral composition,
physiological and biochemical parameters of scion cultivars. Experiment consisted of ten treatment combinations of five
rootstocks viz., EMLA 9, ELMA 26 EMLA 7, EMLA 106 and EMLA 111 and two cultivars viz., Scarlet Gala and Red Fuji.
The trials were conducted in a 12 year old plants in Split Plot Design with five replications and planting distance of 3x3m
under high density plantation. Among the rootstocks EMLA 1111 rootstock recorded the maximum increase in plant height,
tree spread, tree volume, weight of pruning wood and annual shoot growth, whereas maximum leaf area was recorded in
EMLA 7 rootstock. Red Fuji attained maximum increase in tree height, tree volume, tree spread, annual shoot growth and
weight of pruning wood in comparison to Scarlet Gala. Both the cultivars on EMLA 111 rootstocks recorded the maximum
vigour with respect to increase in tree height, tree spread, tree volume, annual shoot growth and weight of pruning wood.
Red Fuji recorded the higher values of these vegetative parameters in comparison to Scarlet Gala irrespective of rootstocks.
These findings suggests the vigorous behavior of rootstock and scion. The maximum flowering intensity, fruit set, yield and
yield efficiency was recoded in EMLA 7 rootstock in 2009 but EMLA 111 performed better in 2008 indicating year to year
variations. During 2008 Red Fuji recorded the maximum flowering intensity, fruit set, yield and yield efficiency, however
during 2009 Scarlet Gala recorded the maximum of these parameters. Red Fuji on EMLA 111 rootstock recorded the
maximum flowering intensity, fruit set, yield and yield efficiency during 2008, whereas during 2009, Scarlet Gala on
EMLA 7 recorded the maximum of these parameters. The maximum fruit drop was recorded in EMLA 26 rootstocks and
minimum in EMLA 111 and EMLA 7 rootstock. Both the cultivars on EMLA 26 rootstock recorded the maximum fruit
drop due to weaker root system of the stock. Among the quality parameters, Red Fuji on EMLA 106 rootstock recorded the
maximum fruit length, fruit diameter and fruit weight as compared to Scarlet Gala. The maximum fruit firmness, total
soluble solids, total sugars, reducing and non reducing sugars were recorded in EMLA 7 rootstock, which recorded the
minimum acidity. Red Fuji on EMLA 7 rootstock recorded maximum total soluble solids, total sugars, reducing and non
reducing sugars whereas Scarlet Gala on EMLA 26 rootstock recorded the minimum. Scarlet Gala on EMLA 7 recorded the
maximum anthocyanin content as compared to Red Fuji on EMLA 26 rootstock which recorded the minimum anthocyanin
content. The maximum chlorophyll content, photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate and stomatal conductance were observed
in EMLA 7 rootstock. Red Fuji on EMLA 7 rootstock recorded the maximum chlorophyll content, photosynthetic rate,
transpiration rate and stomatal conductance. Endogenous levels of growth substances like IAA and GA3 were found
maximum in EMLA 111 rootstock which also recorded the minimum level of ABA, hence resulted in more vigorous growth
of trees raised on this rootstock. The maximum content of N, P, K, Ca, Zn, Mn, Fe and Cu were recorded in EMLA 111
rootstock, whereas the maximum leaf Mg content was recorded in EMLA 7 rootstock. Red Fuji on EMLA 111 rootstock
recorded maximum of N, P, K, however, Scarlet Gala on EMLA 111 rootstock recorded the maximum of leaf Ca, Fe, Cu, Zn
and Mn content. Based on these results, it may be inferred that Red Fuji on EMLA 111 and Scarlet Gala on EMLA 7
rootstock performed better in terms of fruit set, fruit yield, fruit quality and nutritional uptake
Description
Keywords
rootstocks, fruits, apples, biological development, yields, developmental stages, biological phenomena, scions, planting, grafting, apple,cultivars, clonal rootstocks