YIELD AND FRUIT QUALITY OF 'FORTUNE' PLUM GRAFTED ON 17 ROOTSTOCKS IN REPLANT SOIL CONDITIONS OF CENTRAL ITALY

G. Murri, F. Massetani, S. Giusti, A. Funari, D. Neri
Many rootstocks with different vigor and behaviors are now available for plum. To test rootstock effects on fruit quality and tree vegetative-productive equilibrium, ‘Garnem’, ‘Felinem’, ‘GF 677’, ‘Cadaman’, ‘Myrabolan 29C’, ‘Barrier 1’, ‘GF 655/2’, ‘S. Julien Ibr. 2’, ‘Marianna GF 8/1’, ‘Marianna 2624’, ‘Adara’, ‘Ishtara’, ‘Adesoto’, ‘Tetra’, ‘GF43’, ‘Wavit’ and ‘VVA 1’ rootstocks were grafted with ‘Fortune’ plum growing in replant conditions. The experimental design involved 4 randomized blocks containing each of the rootstocks, with 4 trees with each rootstock per replication. The trees were grafted in the winter of 2007; the planting density was 1,162 trees/ha (4.3 x 2 m). The training system was a free spindle, managed with long winter pruning. Vegetative, productive and qualitative parameters were annually measured until 2011. The most vigorous rootstocks (‘GF677’, ‘Garnem’, ‘Felinem’, ‘Cadaman’, ‘Barrier1’) induced the highest cumulative (2008-2011) yields (96-116 kg/tree) associated with the best fruit weights (118-125 g), but with less soluble solids content (12.6-13.0 °Brix, approximately one °Brix less than intermediate vigor rootstocks), with the exception of ‘Felinem’ (13.7 °Brix). ‘Myrabolan 29C’ induced similar yields but with lower average fruit weight (105 g) compared with the most vigorous rootstocks. The best fruiting efficiencies, expressed as yield per trunk cross-sectional area (TCSA), were induced by ‘Adesoto’ and ‘Ishtara’, which had intermediate vigor and good yields. ‘VVA1’ was the least vigorous, with chlorotic symptoms, but presented the highest value of yield per pruning wood weight ratio. The mortality was high on ‘VVA1’ (15%), ‘GF 43’ (15%) and especially on ‘Felinem’ (35%), probably because of a partial incompatibility.
Murri, G., Massetani, F., Giusti, S., Funari, A. and Neri, D. (2013). YIELD AND FRUIT QUALITY OF 'FORTUNE' PLUM GRAFTED ON 17 ROOTSTOCKS IN REPLANT SOIL CONDITIONS OF CENTRAL ITALY . Acta Hortic. 985, 121-126
DOI: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2013.985.15
https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2013.985.15
Prunus salicina Lindl., plant vigor, fruiting efficiency, long pruning
English

Acta Horticulturae