SCIENTIFIC WORKS OF THE LITHUANIAN INSTITUTE OF HORTICULTURE AND LITHUANIAN UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE. SODININKYSTË IR DARÞININKYSTË. 2007. 26(3).

EVALUATION OF APPLE CULTIVARS ON M.9 ROOTSTOCK IN INTENSIVE PLANTING SYSTEM

Nobertas USELIS, Darius KVIKLYS Lithuanian Institute of Horticulture, LT–54333, Babtai, Kaunas distr. E.mail: [email protected]

Abstract. Five introduced apple cultivars (‘Jonagold King’, ‘Jonagold Decosta’, ‘Sampion’, ‘Pinova’ and ‘Pilot’) on M.9 rootstock were tested at the Lithuanian Institute of Horticulture in Babtai in 2000–2006. Cv. ‘Pinova’ gave significantly higher average yield in the young orchard (15.3 t/ha) and Cv. ‘Sampion’ was the most productive in full bearing orchard (36 t/ha). Cvs. ‘Jonagold King’, ‘Jonagold Decosta’ and ‘Pinova’ had significantly lower yield. The highest percentage of Extra class fruits was from apple trees of Cvs. ‘Jonagold King’ and ‘Sampion’. Cvs. ‘Pinova’ and ‘Pilot’ had smaller fruits. Fruits of Cv. ‘Sampion’ got the highest evaluation scores for taste and fruit appearance. Key words: Malus, flowering time, yield, fruit quality. Introduction. The last decade intensive technologies are introduced in commercial fruit growing in Lithuania. The main task for local fruit growers is to grow high quality apples in order to compete with imported fruits. For this purpose it is important to choice correctly cultivars, which could be adapted to Lithuanian climate conditions. Imported apples are prevailing in Lithuanian market. Main import is coming from Europe and especially from Poland. In latter country cvs. ‘Jonagold’, ‘Sampion’ and ‘Ligol’ are most spread in new-planted orchards. Colour mutants as ‘Jonica’, ‘Wilmuta’, ‘Rubistar’, ‘Jonagold Decosta’ and ‘Jonagored’ are the most popular among ‘Jonagold’ clones (Pienianzek, 2000; Makosz, 1998; Ugolik, 1996). Different situation exists in other neighbouring country – Latvia, where the main varieties are ‘Auksis’, ‘Alva’, ‘Antej’, ‘Beloruskoje malinavoje’, ‘Lobo’, ‘Sinap orlovskij’ and etc. (Skrivele et al., 1998). Latvia is interesting export market for Lithuanian fruit growers, therefore new high quality cultivars can be a benefit. A large scale apple variety trials are constantly fulfilled at the Lithuanian Institute of Horticulture (Bandaravièius et al., 2001; Sasnauskas et al., 2006). In recent years at the Orchard technology department apple variety trials are performed aiming to identify the optimal cultivar – rootstock combination and to develop the most suitable orchard constructions. The trial conducted in 1994–2001 with twenty commercial valuable apple cultivars on M.26 rootstock let to develop more intensive planting systems for certain cultivars (Uselis, 2001; 2002). Trials with more dwarfing rootstocks showed higher cultivar precocity and productivity (Uselis, 2003; Kviklys, 2002).

115 The aim of the trial was to evaluate performance of cvs. ‘Jonagold King’, ‘Jonagold Decosta’, ‘Sampion’, ‘Pinova’ and ‘Pilot’ on M.9 rootstock in the intensive planting system under Lithuanian climate conditions. Material and methods. Five apple cultivars ‘Jonagold King’, ‘Jonagold Decosta’, ‘Sampion’ (included in the National List of Plant Varieties), ‘Pinova’ and ‘Pilot’ on M.9 rootstock budded at 15 cm height were tested at the Lithuanian Institute of Horticulture in Babtai (Central Lithuania 55° 60’ N, 23° 48’ E) in 2000–2006. The orchard was planted in the spring of 2000. Planting distances 3 × 1 m. The trial consisted of four replicates with 5 trees in each. Replicates were randomised. The soil was epicalcari-endohypogleyic cambisol (RDg4-K1) with following agrochemical properties: pH – 7.3, humus – 2.8%, P O – 255 mg/kg, K O – KCl 2 5 2 230 mg/kg. Trees were trained as slender spindles. Fertilization mainly with nitrogen was applied according to soil analysis before flowering and during intensive fruitlet growth. Dates of the beginning of flowering and full bloom were observed. Flowering abundance was evaluated by 5-point scale according Szepanski and Rejman (1987). Fruit average weight was counted of the sample of 50 fruits. 50 fruits sample was graded following EC quality standards for apples. Fruit harvesting time was established by starch – iodine test (Streif, 1996). Fruits were stored in cold storage at +1–2°C. Fruit appearance and taste was evaluated by Pomological commission of the Lithuanian Institute of Horticulture. Results were statistically elaborated by the analysis of variance. Results. According to the average of 6 years, all cultivars flowered abundantly (Table 1), especially cvs. ‘Sampion’ (4.6 points) and ‘Pilot’ (4.5 points), though no significant differences in flowering abundance were found among tested cultivars. According to the beginning of flowering, cvs. ‘Sampion’ and ‘Pinova’ are moderate early flowering and ‘Jonagold King’, ‘Jonagold Decosta’ and ‘Pilot’ are moderate late flowering cultivars.

Ta b l e 1. Flowering data of apple cultivars 1 lentelë. Obelø veisliø þydëjimo duomenys

Significant differences among tested cultivars in yielding capacity were recorded starting from the first year of cropping. The highest yield in the young orchard was from cv. ‘Pinova’ (4.59 kg/tree or 15.3 t/ha) (Table 2). cv. ‘Jonagold Decosta’ was the least productive during first two years. At full bearing stage (4–7th year) cv. ‘Sampion’ gave the highest average yield (36 t/ha). Significantly lower yields were recorded for both cv. ‘Jonagold’ clones and cv. ‘Pinova’.

116 Ta b l e 2. Average yield of apple cultivars 2 lentelë. Vidutinis obelø veisliø derlius

According to the average of six years, the biggest fruits were of cv. ‘Jonagold King’ (162.9 g), though no significant differences were recorded with cvs. ‘Jonagold Decosta’ and ‘Sampion’. Significantly smaller fruits were of cvs. ‘Pinova’ and ‘Pilot’. When fruits were graded by size, more than 90% of fruits of cvs. ‘Jonagold King’ and ‘Sampion’ were Extra class (Table 3). Significantly lower amount of Extra class fruits and higher amount of fruits less than 60 mm were of cvs. ‘Pilot’ and ‘Pinova’.

Ta b l e 3. Distribution of apples according to classes (%) 3 lentelë. Obuoliø pasiskirstymas pagal prekines rûðis, %

According fruit evaluation performed by Pomological commission, cv. ‘Sampion’ had the highest score for fruit appearance (4.70), taste (4.55) and overall estimation (4.62). Fruits of cv. ‘Pinova’ had lower but not significant evaluation. The lowest score was of cv. ‘Pilot’ fruits: fruit appearance (4.12), taste (4.04) and overall estimation (4.11). Under Lithuanian climatic conditions the harvesting time of cvs. ‘Sampion’ and ‘Pinova’ is the first decade of October, ‘Jonagold King’, ‘Jonagold Decosta’ and ‘Pilot’ – second decade of October. Fruits of ‘Pinova’ and ‘Sampion’ can be stored in ordinary cold storage until March, ‘Jonagold King’ and ‘Jonagold Decosta’ until middle of April and ‘Pilot’ – until the end of May. Discussion. Introduction of new apple cultivars could be limited by climatic conditions. Comparing with the main apple growing regions, Lithuania has shorter vegetation period and lower sum of active temperatures. It is very important carefully to investigate all properties of introduced cultivars before recommendation for

117 commercial growing. For example, earlier performed trial with standard cv. ‘Jonagold’ showed that fruits lacked colour and other fruit quality parameters and taste were not sufficient every year (Kviklienë, Kviklys, 2001). In this trial average fruit weight of ‘Jonagold’ clones was around 160 g, what is usual weight under Lithuanian climate conditions (Kviklys, Kviklienë, 2002). In Poland average fruit weight of cv. ‘Jonagold’ varies from 170 g to more than 250 g (Czynczyk et al, 2006; Skrzynski, Gastol, 2006). Commercial apple fruit growers in Lithuania have a shortage of high quality winter cultivars. Harvesting season of many new cultivars starts at the second half of October, when the risk of autumn frosts appears. Tested cultivars, except cvs. ‘Sampion’ and ‘Pinova’, should be harvested in late term too. Earlier picked fruits usually have not enough colour, taste and size. Such results raise a doubt of the suitability to grow late harvesting season apple cultivars in Lithuania. Even in Poland where vegetation season is longer, harvesting time of ‘Jonagold’ starts at the end of October (Czynczyk et al., 2006). Cv. ‘Sampion’ is one of the most widely planted apple cultivar in Lithuanian commercial orchards. However, there is a need to search proper rootstock and adapt thinning programme for this cultivar. In recent trial cv. ‘Sampion’ gave the highest croP. High yield and excellent fruit quality of cv. ‘Sampion’ was recorded in many trials too (Bielicki et al., 2002; Wrona, Kot, 2002). Cv. ‘Jonagold’ and its clones are one of the main varieties in Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and Poland. Cv. ‘Jonagold’ usually also gives high yield. One of the reasons of significantly lower yields of cv. ‘Jonagold’ clones in this trial could be more pronounced variable bearing. Slightly higher average productivity (up to 30 t/ha) was recorded in our early performed trials with standard ‘Jonagold’ (Kviklys et al., 2000). In other countries usually at such planting density the yield of cv. ‘Jonagold’on M.9 rootstock is more than 50 t/ ha (Vercammen et al., 2006; 2007). Cvs. ‘Pinova’ and ‘Pilot’ are interesting cultivars for organic orchards and commonly used in Netherlands, Germany and Poland. Low percentage of Extra class apples of cvs. ‘Pinova’ and ‘Pilot’ can be explained by abundant fruit set. Fruitlet thinning programs should be developed for these cultivars in order to increase apple size. Cv. ‘Pinova’ is more suitable for growing in Lithuania taking in account better fruit quality established by evaluation of the Pomological commission. Conclusions. 1. Cv. ‘Pinova’ gave the highest average yield in the young (15.3 t/ha) and cv. ‘Sampion’ in full bearing orchard (36 t/ha). Cvs. ‘Jonagold King’, ‘Jonagold Decosta’ and ‘Pinova’ had significantly lower yield. 2. Cvs. ‘Jonagold King’ and ‘Sampion’ had the highest percentage of Extra class fruits (> 90%), when ‘Pinova’ and ‘Pilot’ – the lowest (respectively, 47 and 57%). 3. Fruits of cv. ‘Sampion’ had the highest evaluation scores for taste and fruit appearance. Gauta 2007 06 Parengta spausdinti 2007 06

118 References

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SODININKYSTË IR DARÞININKYSTË. MOKSLO DARBAI. 2007. 26(3).

OBELØ VEISLIØ SU M.9 POSKIEPIU TYRIMAS INTENSYVIAME SODE

N. Uselis, D. Kviklys

Santrauka

2000–2006 m. Lietuvos sodininkystës ir darþininkystës institute atlikti penkiø introdukuotø veisliø – ‘Jonagold King’, ‘Jonagold Decosta’, ‘Ðampion’, ‘Pinova’ ir ‘Pilot’ – su M.9 poskiepiu tyrimai. Jauname sode ið esmës didþiausias derlius skintas nuo ‘Pinova’ veislës obelø (15,3 t/ha). Deranèiame sode derlingiausia buvo veislës ‘Ðampion’ obelys (36 t/ha). ‘Jonagold King’, ‘Jonagold Decosta’ ir ‘Pinova’ obelys ið esmës buvo maþiau derlingos. Daugiausia ekstra klasës vaisiø vedë ‘Jonagold King’ ir ‘Ðampion’ obelys. ‘Pinova’ ir ‘Pilot’ obuoliø skersmuo buvo ið esmës maþesnis. Aukðèiausiais balais Pomologinë komisija ávertino veislës ‘Ðampion’ obuoliø skoná ir iðoriná patrauklumà. Reikðminiai þodþiai: derlius, Malus, vaisiø kokybë, þydëjimo laikas.

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