Influence of Summer Pruning and Tree Orientation on Net Photosynthesis, Transpiration, Shoot Growth, and Dry-weight Distribution in Young Apple Trees1
Year: 1983
Type: article
Abstract: Young, actively growing, container-grown Malling Merton (MM) 106 apple trees ( Malus domestica Borkh.), trained to a single shoot in a greenhouse, were oriented at vertical, 45° from vertical (45°), 90° from vertical (90°), or 90° from vertical and rotated at 1 rpm (90° rotated), and summer-pruned to remove none or 50% of 70.0-cm shoots. Orientation in a nonvertical position and summer pruning delayed a decline in net photosynthesis (Pn) exhibited by vertical unpruned trees. Pruning but not orientation increased total shoot growth, shoot number, and the number and total area of leaves of subsequent growth, but decreased average leaf size. Within 1 week after orientation, unpruned trees at 45° or 90° showed a decline of terminal shoot growth. However, 60 days after pruning a delayed growth of axillary shoots along the tree axis resulted in no difference in total shoot growth, leaf area, or leaf number on subsequent growth compared to vertical unpruned trees. Orientation at 45° and 90° increased the dry-weight root:shoot ratio and induced rootsuckers. Pruning decreased the root dry weight in all tree orientations. Rotation of unpruned trees increased apical growth, axillary shoot numbers, and dry weight of subsequent growth, and decreased root growth compared to unrotated trees.
Authors: S. C. Myers, D. C. Ferree
Language: English
Subfield: Plant Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,500
OpenAlex ID: W4289843517