SIX VASE-TRAINING SYSTEMS: DESCRIPTION AND EFFECT ON FRUITING RIPENING AND QUALITY

The most popular canopy architecture for sweet cherry trees in France is the vase (goblet). Numerous variations of training techniques abound to achieve this architecture; this study examined 6 variations to compare yields, fruit quality, and costs of vegetative growth management, all with the same two sweet cherry cultivars (‘Summit’ and ‘Belge’) on a moderate vigor rootstock, Maxma^® Delbard 14. The training systems varied in the amount, type, and timing of imposed pruning and bending strategies. During the first 7 years of orchard development, training system did not affect fruit soluble solids, but canopy volume, yields and fruit size were strongly influenced. The highest and earliest yields for both cultivars were achieved with the G Evolutive system, which also was the most labor intensive. However, the fruit size was smaller for the highest yielding systems, as fruit size tended to be influenced inversely by crop load. The GTV system promoted the greatest canopy volume, but had the poorest yield efficiency. The GTL system appeared to promote a good compromise between moderate yield efficiency and good fruit size. Examination of the annual yields from 1997 to 2000 revealed that the systems that utilize extensive heading cuts were delayed in production, e.g., by 1 year for the G Devaux and up to 2 years for the G Traditional system. Differences between cultivars illustrated that scion vigor and growth habits, such as upright vs. Naturally spreading, should be matched to training system methods to achieve optimal results.