20 J. Hortl. Sci. Vol. 14(1) : 20-25, 2019 Original Research Paper Effect of cultivars on tree growth, yield and quality attributes of apple on espalier architecture under high density planting system K.K. Srivastava, Dinesh Kumar, S.R. Singh and O.C. Sharma ICAR-Central Institute of Temperate Horticulture, Old Air Field, Rangreth, Srinagar - 190 007 (J&K), India. Email : kanchanpom@gmail.com ABSTRACT Annual extension growth (AEG), an indicator of tree vigor, was recorded maximum (145.63 cm) in Granny Smith and minimum (111.04cm) in Spartan, where as correlation matrix showed negative relation between trunk cross sectional area (TCSA) and AEG. Granny Smith exhibited maximum (184.09 g) fruit weight and it was minimum (128.68 g) in Spartan, the correlation matrix between fruit weight and yield efficiency exhibited significant positive correlation over the years. Yield tree-1 was maximum (29.45 kg tree-1) in Coe red Fuji and minimum (16.04 kg/tree) in Spartan. Significant and positive correlation coefficient (0.870) observed between yield and TCSA. TCSA has positive correlation with fruit weight and yield efficiency, maximum mean yield efficiency (1.11 kg/cm2) was recorded in Granny Smith. All the cultivars trained on this architecture had high chroma values (color intensity). Key words: apple, tree architecture, espalier, high density planting, Coe-Red –Fuji, yield efficiency, chroma INTRODUCTION Apple (Malus domestica Borkh) is an important fruit, occupies more than, 70% area and 60% production of total temperate fruits in India. Apple productivity is a production function of rootstock, planting density, tree architecture and variety in addition to orchard and floor management. Dwarfing and semi-dwarf rootstocks ha ve been widely accepted in apple industry a s effective tools to increa se orcha rd efficiency (Barritt et al., 1995) as smaller and compact trees can more efficiently intercept the solar energy. High and early productivity in high density planting system is partly based on the greater leaf area ha -1, r esulting gr ea ter light inter ception of photosynthetically active radiations (PAR) (Jackson, 1980). Tree height and canopy shape also affect the light interception, penetration and distribution in the inner portion of the canopy. High density orchards have varied canopy architecture form, practiced all over world; however, the most common is the spindle form (Mika et al., 1984; Mika et al., 2001). Tall trees have potential to intercept more light and yield than short statured tree at the same spacing (Barrit, 2000, Callesen, 1993; Palmer 1989. The trunk cross sectional area in the HDP was 20% less than that of low density (Hampson et al., 2004). The tree size is virtually expressed in trunk cross sectional area (TCSA), as it is the most common and reliable factor to determine tree size and yield potential (Jimenez and Diaz 2004, Wright et al. (2006) a nd yield efficiency indicates the real potential of tree yield irrespective of the tree size. Annual extension growth exhibited the state of tree health; it is not affected by the training system (Hampson et al. 2004). The fruit weight, yield and fruit color depends on light interception, plant architecture, cultivars, density and planting rectangularity. Square planting system (1:1) is the most favorable for light interception and distribution (Wagenmakers, 1991; Wagenmakers and Ca llesen, 1995). Espa lier is like kniffin tr ee architecture of grape, comprising 4-5 layer of wires running parallel at 30-45 cm interval on which scaffold branches are trained on both directions. MATERIALS AND METHODS The present experiment was carried out during 2010 to 2014 at ICAR-Central Institute of Temperate Hor ticulture, Srina gar, J&K. The experiments includes 3 cultivars; Co-Red Fuji (V1), Granny Smith (V2), Spartan (V3) which were grafted on to M.9 rootstock. The planting was done at 1.5x 3.0 m (row 21 Espalier architecture in apple J. Hortl. Sci. Vol. 14(1) : 20-25, 2019 to row and plant to plant). All the experimental trees were trained on 5 tier galvanized wires fixed on the iron angle of 1.5 m, the angles were fixed at 8 m distance. First wire fitted at 45 cm from ground level and rest 4 wires at 30cm intervals. The experiment was laid out in complete randomized block design with six replications and 2 plants/ replication; uniform cultural operations were practiced in all the trees under study, drip irrigation laid out for irrigation and fertigation. Trunk diameters were measured 15 cm above the graft union. The trunk cross sectional area wa s ca lcula ted by using sta nda r d for mula e (TCSA=Girth2/4π). For fruit weight, 15 fruits were randomly harvested at maturity, weighted using digita l electr onic ba lance a nd fr uit yield wa s calculated as total weight of fruit per unit TCSA (kg/ cm2 of TCSA) at the time of harvest. The color was recorded using Hunter colour lab, it was calibrated using the manufacturers’ standard white tile and were expressed in L*,a* and b* . The color intensity (chroma) was worked out using formula (a2+b2)1/2). The data were analyzed statistically as per procedure given Sheoran et al (1998), and are being presented in the table for interpretation of the results. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Espalier architecture Annual extension growth (AEG) is the indicator of tree vigour, maximum AEG (145.63 cm) noted in Granny smith and minimum (111.04 cm) in Spartan while as correlation coefficient exhibited negative over the years between TCSA and AEG (Table 1). Similar trend in fruit weight with respect to variety was recorded in this experiment, Granny Smith showed maximum fruit weight throughout the studied per iod. Avera ge fr uit weight r ecorded maximum (184.09 g fruit-1) in Granny Smith, while a s minimum (128. 68 g fruit -1) in Spar tan, the correlation matrix between fruit weight and yield efficiency exhibited significant positive correlation over the years (Table 2). Yield per tree was also inf lu enc ed b y t he c u lt iva r s u nd er es p a lier architecture, where in, maximum avera ge yield (29.45 kg tree-1) was recorded in Coe red Fuji and minimum (16.04 kg tree-1) in Spartan. Significant and positive correlation coefficient (0.870) was observed between yield and TCSA (Table 3). The apple grafted on to dwarfing rootstocks, the tree exhibited precocity resulting fair yield in 2nd year on wards. Coe Red Fuji has tendency to bear large number of fruits tree-1 of medium sized in turn had maximum mean productivity (65.84 t ha-1), while as, Spartan has comparatively low productivity over the years, 40.69 t ha -1(Fig.1). TCSA is reliable criteria to estimate yield of the tree. Trunk cross sectional area was recorded maximum (33.01 cm2) in Coe Red Fuji over the years which were on par to Gr anny Smith and Spa rta n, significant and positive correlations were noted, TCSA with fruit weight and yield efficiency (Fig 2). Fig. 1: Yield of apple varieties under espalier architecture Fig. 2. Yield efficiency of apple under espalier architecture Yield efficiency permits comparisons among the trees of varying vigor and was used as reliable cr iteria to estima te yield potential of different varieties grown under different spacing. Maximum average yield efficiency (1.11 kg cm-2) recorded in Granny Smith followed by Coe Red Fuji (1.04 kg cm-2), whereas, it was minimum (0.67 kg/cm2) in Spartan. Chroma values were worked out to show the color intensity, all the studied varieties exhibited high color intensity as per their genetic constituents Hence, no considerable variations were observed on the chroma values among the studied varieties over the years (Table 4). 22 Srivastava et al J. Hortl. Sci. Vol. 14(1) : 20-25, 2019 Table 1. Varietal influence on annual extension growth under espalier architecture AEG (cm) Variety Year Year Year Year Year 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Mean Co-Red Fuji 106.67 113.66 116.89 121.0 127.17 117.07 Granny Smith 139.66 142.50 145.50 148.17 152.33 145.63 Spartan 97.67 105.87 111.17 118.67 121.83 111.04 r with TCSA* -0.368 -0.053 -0.325 -0.025 -0.035 - CV (%) 8.90 8.91 7.10 6.15 6.17 - LSD (p= 0.05) 13.31 16.95 10.75 9.73 10.75 - *r= Correlation matrix (p=0.05) Table 2. Effect of varieties on fruit weight under espalier architecture Friut weight (g) Variety Year Year Year Year Year 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Mean Co-Red Fuji 154.71 163.03 148.47 155.67 182.53 159.98 Granny Smith 176.14 172.76 160.58 208.28 207.68 184.09 Spartan86.28 125.67 94.62 166.97 171.86 128.68 r with yield efficiency 0.933 0.988 0.919 0.985 0.602 0.950 CV(%) 3.0 2.41 4.90 1.92 2.50 1.50 LSD(p= 0.05) 4.87 4.38 7.71 4.00 4.82 2.73 *r= Correlation matrix (p=0.05) Table 3. Effect of varieties on yield potential Yield kg tree-1 Variety Year Year Year Year Year 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Mean Co-Red Fuji 7.52 26.09 43.26 46.22 24.18 29.45 Granny Smith 6.80 22.83 20.19 43.91 15.67 21.88 Spartan 2.70 13.50 10.72 38.40 14.90 16.04 r with TCSA 0.782 0.643 0.875 0.638 0.977 0.870 CV (%) 5.18 12.87 9.1 5.08 12.16 4.25 LSD(p= 0.05) 1.20 3.15 2.70 2.60 2.61 1.30 *r= Correlation matrix (p=0.05) 23 T he scion gr owth is not a ffected by the tr ee architecture as it is due to genetic constituents of the cultivars; similarly Hampson et al. (2004) also reported that scion growth was affected by genetic constituents of cultivars not by tree architecture. The Coe Red Fuji which has prolific in bearing habit are medium sized and large number of fruit set per tree (4-5 thousand) after 3 years, these results are in agreement with Ahmed et al. (2015) who also reported higher yields in Coe Red fuji, Granny Smith and Spartan on espalier architecture. Fruit weight has dir ect corr elation with yield; it decreased with increasing planting density (Costa et al., 1997). TCSA of the tr ee wa s positively cor r ela ted with the transporting and distribution of the photosynthates from source to sink, which ultimately affects the tree growth and fruit yield. The productivity efficiency of the tree increased with increase in TCSA (Table 5). Similar growth pattern in TCSA with yield and TCSA with AEG were reported by, Kumar and Kumar et al (2011) in Banana. In general, fruit weight is negatively correlated with tree density, where in higher tree density has low fruit weight. In espalier architecture, initially no clear cut trend in fruit weight was observed because of negligible competition among fruit-lets for photosynthates, space, and light energy. Similarly, Palmer et al. (1997) reported that fruit weight was greatest when there were minimum competition between fruits. The yield per tree was observed increasing trends, since the observations were taken on the 3 years after plants, the trend may change in future with the age of the trees. Tree architecture determined the tree shape, but not over a ll tr ee size (Ha mpson et al. , 2004). Further, horizontal growing shoots have lower auxin content as compared to upright shoots (Kato and Ito, 1962). Luckwill (1968) reported that the supply Table 4. Trunk cross sectional area of apple varieties TCSA Treatment Year Year Year Year Year 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Mean Co-Red Fuji 25.99 27.90 33.31 37.02 40.83 33.01 Granny Smith 17.54 19.87 21.70 24.97 28.13 22.44 Spartan 17.22 19.49 22.03 25.97 28.93 22.72 r with fruit weight 0.321 0.246 0.135 0.552 0.392 0.990 r with yield efficiency 0.639 0.592 0.511 0.385 0.956 0.638 CV (%) 14.47 9.20 8.5 9.90 4.67 2.5 LSD (p= 0.05) 3.45 2.4 2.47 3.2 1.8 0.75 *r= Correlation matrix (p=0.05) Table 5. Chroma value of apple on espalier architecture Variety Year Year Year Year Year 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Mean Treatment Year 2010 Year 2011 Year 2012 Year 2013 Year 2014 Mean Co-Red Fuji 26.53 27.14 26.35 25.67 29.68 27.07 Granny Smith 23.27 28.47 28.37 26.70 27.70 26.90 Spartan 25.25 25.71 25.71 28.00 27.85 26.50 r with AEG -0.822 0.853 -0.014 -0.660 -0.185 0.760 CV (%) 9.07 1.90 10.16 11.53 8.20 5.80 LSD (p= 0.05) NS 1.33 NS NS NS NS *r= Correlation matrix (p=0.05) Espalier architecture in apple J. Hortl. Sci. Vol. 14(1) : 20-25, 2019 24 of nutrient to the apex is controlled by auxin in top meristem. Srivastava et al (2008) also reported that minimum growth in shoot diameter noted at 60 and 900 branch angles in Conian Itly apricot. The color was very intense in Granny Smith, however, Costa et. al. (1997) reported decrease in chroma values with tree density in Braeburn apple. Yield efficiency is reliable parameter for estimating the yield potential of varying tree size. AEG ha ve positive correlation with yield efficiency, it may be due to more vegetative growth, more production of photosynthates resulting high partitioning of photo- assimilates to developing fruits, thus increased in yield efficiency. Similarly Srivastava et al (2008) recorded maximum yield in apricot tree branched at 600 angle. Maximum color intensity (chroma) was recorded in espalier architecture, which may be due to the maximum exposed leaves to the solar r adia tions which results in more car bohydr ate production and increased sugar content in fruits help ed in t he develop ment of c olor int ensity (Chadha, 2001). The Coe Red Fuji and Granny Smith have better performance on espalier architecture, though the initial cost for erection of the training structure was high. Yield efficiency and quality on espalier tree a r chitectu r e wer e high. Fur ther, ea se in tr ee br a nc h, shoot a nd lea f positioning a r e a dded advantage and low wastage of inputs are additional advantage. The AEG might be an indicator for assessing tree vigour. Granny Smith exhibited high growth and fruit weight but overall productivity was r ec or ded hi gh in C oe r ed F u ji o n es p a lier architecture. TCSA showed positive correlation with fruit weight, yield efficiency, and yield kg tree- 1. Chroma value in all the varieties were found on par, as trees on espalier architecture have all the leaves well illuminated to the solar radiations. Srivastava et al J. Hortl. Sci. Vol. 14(1) : 20-25, 2019 REFERENCES Ahmed N., Srivastava, K.K., Kumar Dinesh, Lal Shiv. (2015). Managing tree architecture for quality apples. Indian Hort. 60(4):6-8. Barritt, B.H., Konishi, A.S.,Dilley, M.A. 1995 Intensive orchard management performance of three apple cultivars with 23 dwarfing rootstocks during 8 seasons in Washington. Fruit Var. J.49: 158-170. 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