Many researchers and fruit growers are interested in quick-mastery propagated of dwarf apple nurseries by greenwood grafting. This paper describes an investigation into the effects of planting methods on the early growth of soft-wood grafted dwarf apple trees. The effects upon the quality of different methods of grafting was also investigated.
Spur EarliBlaze on M7 raised by traditional grafting method showed earlier fruiting than those on M7/seedling raised by softwood grafting. However, there was no significant differences in growth, root distribution and dwarfing between traditional grafting and softwood grafting. Trees of EarliBlaze and Starkrimson on three dwarfing rootstocks/seedling raised by softwood grafting were planted deeper than normal, i.e. with the unions also 10㎝ above ground level and then, after 4 years, seedling were naturally deteriorated. Apple trees on M7/seedling which removed seedling at the time of planting suffered a slight reduction in vigor and early cropping. In softwood grafting method, trees which planted after taping polyethylene film at the union of seedling produced a great amount of shoot and root growth and fruits. As for the horizontal and vertical root distribution, 4-year-old Spur EarliBlaze on M7 showed 260㎝ spread and reached 120㎝ deep. As for the root distribution, Spur EarliBlaze on M7/seedling raised by softwood grafting showed 370㎝ spread and 130㎝ deep and those by removal seedling at the time of planting showed 208㎝ spread and reached 110㎝ deep. As for the horizontal and vertical root distribution, EarliBlaze on M2 6/seedling by softwood grafting showed 180㎝ spread and reached 70㎝ deep and Starkrimson on MM106/seedling by softwood grafting showed 305㎝ spread and reached 118㎝ deep.
|