The effect of pruning practice and term on a leaf area of apple-trees

The article is devoted to the study of morphological changes of the apple leaf apparatus in the intensive plantations depending on different methods and terms of pruning. The article scientifically substantiates and proves that changes in the leaf apparatus primarily depend on the timing and methods of pruning the crown. It was found out that the contour pruning of apple trees is 14% larger than the area of the leaf blade, and after pruning in the pink cone phase - 11%, the implementation of this agricultural measure in the pink cone phase increases the total leaf surface by 20%, thickens the leaf blade by 8% and reduces the number of leaves of apple trees by 17%. Key words: apple tree, pruning method, pruning period, mechanical (contour) pruning, leaf surface area, leaf blade thickness.

Comparison of white clover and mixed sodgrass as orchard floor vegetation

Spartan apple trees on M•26 (Malus domestica Borkh.) rootstock, planted in 1983, were grown for 8 yr (1985–1992) at 60 and 180 kg N ha−1 yr−1 with five orchard floor vegetation management treatments. A white clover cover over the whole orchard floor increased leaf N concentration relative to complete sod cover, but had negative effects on tree vigour and yield. Maximum vigour and yield occurred when in-row weed competition was controlled in a 1.5-m-strip, regardless of orchard floor vegetation beyond the strip. Key words: Apple, leaf N, orchard floor vegetation management, vigour, yield

Sunrise apple

Sunrise apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) has firm, crisp fruit with bright attractive colour. It matures in mid-August. The tree is easily managed, but its fruit has a short shelf life. Key words: Apple, cultivar description

Long-term effects of preplant liming on apple trees and soil cation levels

Nine years after liming a sandy loam orchard soil to pH 6.0 with calcium hydroxide or dolomitic lime, pH and extractable Ca and Mg were still higher where limed than where unlimed. However, pH had decreased below 5.0 in the limed and N-fertilized plots. Delicious (Malus domestica Borkh.) apple tree nutrition benefited from the two soil amendments. Leaf Mg was increased by dolomite. Leaf Ca was increased by calcium hydroxide. Leaf Mn, although highest in unlimed soils, increased over time for both limed and unlimed soil. Key words: Apple, lime application, reacidification