Vegetative Growth and Fruiting of ‘Red Fuji’ Apple on M.9 Clones and Other Dwarfing Rootstocks

Abstract

In 1993, trees of ‘Red Fuji’ (T.A.C. 114) apple ( Malus x domesticaBorkh.) on 16 dwarfing rootstocks were planted in New Franklin, Missouri to evaluate tree growth and productivity in a Midwestern climate. Rootstocks included 11 M.9 clones, as well as B.9, M.27 EMLA, Mark, V.1, and V.3. Tree mortality was primarily a result of high winds during thunderstorms in June 1998 and 2000. By 2002, trees on V.1, M.9 NAKB T340 and M.9 EMLA had greater trunk cross-sectional areas (TCAs) than those on M.9L (infected with latent viruses), M.9 Janssen 337, V.3, B.9, and M.27 EMLA. All M.9 clones produced trees that were relatively more vigorous than M.9L, except M.9 Janssen 337 when relative size was calculated. The shortest trees at the end of the trial were those on B.9 and M.27 EMLA. After ten years, trees on Mark, M.9 Burgmer 751, and M.9 NAKB T340 had greater cumulative yield (CY) than those on M.9 NAKB T338, M.9L, M.9 Janssen 337, M.9 Burgmer 984 and M.27 EMLA. The less vigorous rootstocks, M.27 EMLA and B.9 had greater yield efficiency (YE) than V.1, M.9 NAKB T340, and M.9 EMLA. Mean fruit weight was statistically similar among all rootstocks, except M.27 EMLA. However, average weight of fruit harvested from M.9 NAKB T340 and M.9 Burgmer 751 averaged ≥ 26 g more than that from M.9L trees.