Results of Preliminary Study on the Growth of Two Sweet Cherry Cultivars Grafted on Prunus Rootstock

Abstract

Winter-hardiness of cultivars and rootstocks is a critical issue in Turkey’s climatic conditions. Mazzard is the most popular rootstock for sweet cherries in Turkey. However, this rootstock is unsuitable for intensive sweet cherry orchards due to its vigorous habit. Therefore, it is necessary to find new rootstocks adapted to the local climate. This study was to investigate the influence of rootstock on growth, vegetative potential of the sweet cherry cultivar ‘0900 Ziraat’ and ‘Lambert’ in semi-arid conditions. Trees were grafted on rootstock candidates belonging to Prunus avium, and Prunus cerasus with ‘Gisela 6’, ‘SL 64’ and Mazzard as a control. A trial was established in 2020-2022 in the Black Sea Agricultural Research Institute. Trees were planted at a distance of 4×4 m with three replications per plot. Date of bud burst seedlings grafted with ‘0900 Ziraat’ and ‘Lambert’ cultivars was between 21 March and1 April, tree diameter was between 9.0 and 33.3 mm, tree length was between 68.4 and 206.3 cm, tree crown length between 50.7 and 165.3 cm and tree crown volume are between 0.1 and 0.2 m3 © 2024 International Society for Horticultural Science. All rights reserved.