Characteristics of vegetative spur leaf, spur bud and fruiting spur leaf in relation to canopy position was investigated in order to promote better spur bud differentiation in ´Fuji´ apple tree (Malus domestica Borkh. cv. Fuji).
1. Light interception rate in the east, west, south and north direction within canopy was reduced by 62.5, 67.4, 50.8 and 77.3%, respectively whereas it was 47.1% at top and 81.9% at bottom position.
2. There was no difference in vegetative spur leaf characteristics among directions.
3. Vegetative spur leaf number and leaf area showed no difference between top and bottom position, but total leaf weight per spur and specific leaf weight at top were highly significantly greater than those at bottom.
4. There was no difference in spur bud size among directions, but spur bud at top was larger than that at bottom.
5. Fruiting spur showed difference in leaf area among directions as well as between top and bottom, but there was no difference in leaf weight.
6. Specific leaf weight of Vegetative spur was mostly influenced by light interception, and leaf dry weight per spur, average leaf dry weight, spur bud length and diameter had also a very high correlation with light interception rate.
|