Rootstock and Training Effects on Growth and Fruit Quality of Young '0900 Ziraat' Sweet Cherry Trees

Abstract

The study was conducted to determine the performance of '0900 Ziraat' cultivar grafted on Krymsk 5, Gisela 6 and Piku 1 rootstocks, and the effects of the combinations of these rootstocks with four training systems on yield and quality of sweet cherry. The rootstocks and training systems had a significant effect on vegetative growth and fruit quality. Krymsk 5 x Vogel central leader produced the largest trees. There were no differences between the rootstocks in terms of fruit size; however, the largest fruit was obtained from trees trained to Vogel central leader (VCL) and super slender axe (SSA) as compared to Kym Green bush (KGB) and upright fruiting offshoots (UFO). The coloration on the fruit of the trees grafted on Piku 1 and Krymsk 5 rootstocks and trained to the SSA training system was better and the fruit firmness values were higher with the Gisela 6 x SSA combination. The highest soluble solids content (SSC) values were recorded with Piku 1 x SSA and Gisela 6 x SSA combinations. The bioactive compound content of the fruit varied depending on the rootstock and training system. The fruit of Piku 1 x VCL combination had higher total phenolic content. Antioxidant activity was higher in Krymsk 5 x UFO combination. The study revealed that fruit quality was better with SSA and VCL training systems.