Seven-Year Evaluation of Geneva® and Polish Rootstocks with ‘Golden Delicious Reinders’ Apple in Poland

Abstract

A field study of dwarf apple ( Malus× domesticaBorkh.) rootstock performance using ‘Golden Delicious Reinders’ as the scion cultivar was conducted in Poland from 2001-2007. The study included 6 rootstocks from the Cornell-Geneva rootstock breeding program (Geneva® 11, Geneva® 16, Geneva® 41, Geneva® 202, CG.3007 and CG.4013), 4 rootstocks from the Polish rootstock breeding program (P 14, P 16, P 59 and P 60) and 3 Malling rootstocks as controls (M.9 T337, M.9 Pajam2 and M.26). Over the seven years of the study, no trees were lost on any rootstock due to damage from frost or diseases including fire blight ( Erwinia amylovoraBurr. Winsl.) infestation on the rootstock. Trees growing on P 59 and P 16 had the weakest growth while the strongest growing trees were on P 14, P 60, M.26, CG.4013 and G.202. The size of the trees on G.11, G.16, G.41 and M.9 Pajam2 were similar to that of the trees growing on the standard dwarfing rootstock M.9 T337. The trees started bearing fruit on all rootstocks in the second year after planting. The cumulative yield varied from 31.9 kg with P 59 to 92.7 kg with CG.4013. High yields were also obtained from trees on G.41, P 14, G.202 and M.26. Cumulative yield efficiency expressed as yield per cm ²of trunk cross-sectional area was highest for trees on P 16, M.9 Pajam2, G.41 and G.11 and lowest for vigorously growing trees on P 60, P 14 and M.26. In 2007, a year of heavy cropping, the mean fruit weight varied from 141 g on P 59 to 232 g on M.9 T337. Fruit size from trees on P 60, P 14, G.41, G.11 G.202 and M.26 was statistically similar to trees on M.9 T337. We conclude that the rootstocks G.11 and G.41, which are highly resistant to fire blight, can be recommended for growing ‘Golden Delicious Reinders’ apple in the Polish climate, as are the non-resistant rootstocks M.9 T337, P 16 and M.9 Pajam2. For orchards located on light soils CG.4013, G.202, P 14 and P 60 are also promising.