The effects of species and hybrid rootstocks on the growth and cropping of Merton Glory and Merton Bigarreau sweet cherries (Prunus aviumL.)

Abstract
Four ‘genetic-dwarf forms of Prunus avium raised from seedlings and nine clonally- propagated species or hybrid selections of Prunus were compared as rootstocks for Merton Glory and Merton Bigarreau sweet cherry cultivars. All the ‘genetic:dwarf rootstocks effectively dwarfed both scion cultivars but yields were low and yield per unit of tree size (yield efficiency) poor. Prunus mugus and P. canescens clones and one of the hybrid rootstocks, Colt, also dwarfed the scions to 45%, 69% and 47–55% of Prunus avium controls respectively, and produced good yields. Trees on Colt were particularly precocious in cropping and high yielding in relation to their size. Trees on P. avium clone Fd 1/57/4/13, although vigorous, had a very high yield efficiency.

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