Effect of Rootstocks on Vigor and Productivity in High Density Cherry Orchards

For maintaining a high density orchard, it is essential to analyze rootstocks' effect and thus to use only appropriate rootstocks for our environmental and site conditions. In 2000 we planted a high density cherry orchard in Szigetcsep with Vera (R) and Axel (R) cultivars to 4 x 2 meter row and plant distance, on purpose to examine different rootstocks. Trees are trained to central leader with permanent basal branches; in the alley way naturally grown grass is managed by mowing. The first considerable fruiting was in 2004. Every year we measured trunk and crown parameters of the trees, productivity and fruit size. According to our results we classified rootstocks into three groups. Cema, SL 64, and Bogdany are vigorous rootstocks, moderate vigorous are MaxMa 97, Pi-Ku 1, and Tabel (R) Edabriz, Gisela (R) 5 and Prob are dwarfing rootstocks. We measured significant differences in cumulative yield between rootstocks. Cumulative yield of Axel (R) was the highest on Bogdany and on Cema, contrary to Gisela 5 (R), which produced only 50% of the previous ones. The productivity results of the two other dwarfing rootstocks were not even 50% of Gisela 5 (R). Cumulative yield of Vera (R) was the highest on SL 64, and no significant difference was found, compared to trees on rootstocks Cema, Bogdany and Pi-Ku 1. Cumulative yield production of trees was smaller on Gisela (R) 5, Prob, MaxMa 97 and Tabel (R) Edabriz rootstocks. According to the average yield/year production of the measured four years, SL 64, Bogdany, Cema and Pi-Ku 1 were the most effective rootstocks. The same results can be achieved on Gisela 5 (R) with higher densities (row-plant distance 4 x 1.5 m). With this increased density Pi-Ku 1 rootstocks proved to be the most effective ones. Rootstocks also affect fruit size. We measured the largest fruits on trees on Bogdany. According to our results we can highly recommend SL 64, Bogdany, Cema and Pi-Ku 1 for high density orchard plantation under our site conditions.