Measures to inhibit the growth of apple tree top with the `gala´ variety

Authors

  • Matjaž BEBER KGZ – Zavod Maribor, Sadjarski center Maribor (SCM), Gačnik 77, Pesnica pri Mariboru, Slovenia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14720/aas.2015.105.1.14

Keywords:

malus pumila, tree form, crown, flowering, stems, plant anatomy, crop yield, organic agriculture, biological production, growth control

Abstract

In Fruit Research Center Maribor different methods of less vigorous growth of apple tree top with the variety `Gala´ were conducted during the period from 2010 to 2013: applying a coating of the central leader at a height of 2.2 m with 2 % solution of growth regulator NAA (Luxan Late – Val) and plant resin, the use of the growth retardant Regalis (2 times), of replacing the the top of the tree with the highest appropriate bent branch, removal of new shoots 28 days after flowering (tearing) and the June cut after the completion of the primary growth. Increment of annual shoots and harvest in the top (over 2.2 m) was followed. Most commonly used practices, the June cut and tearing of young shoots resulted in the strongest growth in the top. The vigour of the top of the tree was the best reduced by the use of plant growth regulators (Regalis and NAA top coating) and replacing the top of the tree. The highest yield of the top of the tree was achieved by using Regalis, meanwhile tearing of the young shoots gave the lowest yield. The replacing the top of the tree is suitable measure for organic production, because it successfully reduces the vigour of the tree top without the use of growth regulators.

References

Baab G. in Lafer G. 2005 Alternanz. V: Kernobst – Harmonisches Wachstum – optimaler Ertrag. aVBUCH im Österriechischen Agrarverlag Druck und Verlags - ges.m.b.H.Nfg. KG: 26 – 27

Bangerth F., Li CJ., Gruber J., 2000 Mutual interaction of auxin and cytoinins in regulating correlative dominance. Plant growth regulation 32,2-3: 205 – 217

Han HH., Coutand C., Cochard H., Trottier C., Lauri PE., 2007. (okt) Effects of shoot bending on lateral fate and changing traits across five apple genotypes. Journal of Experimental botany 58, 13: 3537 – 3547; DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erm200

Medjdoub R., Val J., Blanco A., 2005 Inhibition of vegetative growth in red apple cultivars using prohexadione – cacium. Journal of Horticultural science & biotechnology 80, 2: 263 - 271

Ouellette DR., Young E., 1994 Branch inducment in apple stoolbed shoots summer leaf removal tipping. Hortscience 29,12: 1478 – 1480

Tromp J. 1993. Lateral shoot formation and flower – bud formation in apple in the 1.st year after budding as affected by air-temperature and exposure to red – light. Journal of Hortcultural science 68, 2: 255-260

Tworkoski T., Miller S., 2007. Endogenous hormone concentrations and bud-break response to exogenous benzyl adenine in shoots of apple trees with two growth habits grown on three rootstocks. Journal of Horticultural science & biotechnology, 82, 6: 960 – 966

Wang SY., Faust M., Line MJ., 1994. (nov) Apical dominance in apple (malus domestica borkh) – the possible role of indole – 3 acetic – acid (IAA). Journal of the american society for horticultural science 119, 6: 1215 – 1221

Watanabe M., Suzuki A., Komori S., Bessho H., 2006. (may) Effect of heading-back prunning on shoot growth and IAA and cytokinin concentrations at bud burst of columnar-type apple trees. Journal of the Japanese society for horticultural science75, 3: 224 – 230; DOI: 10.2503/jjshs.75.224

Published

26. 11. 2015

Issue

Section

Agronomy section

How to Cite

BEBER, M. (2015). Measures to inhibit the growth of apple tree top with the `gala´ variety. Acta Agriculturae Slovenica, 105(1), 135–139. https://doi.org/10.14720/aas.2015.105.1.14