Influence of planting distances on biological-commercial characteristics of mature cultivar ‘Auksis’ fruit trees on rootstock P60

Abstract

Investigations of the planting distance effect on the growth, productivity and fruit quality of dwarf apples in 14–15-yearold orchard were carried out at the Experimental Orchard of the Institute of Horticulture, Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry, in 2014–2015. The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of planting distances on the growth, productivity and fruit quality of ‘Auksis’ apple trees on rootstock P60 in the mature 14–15 year old orchard. Fruit trees were spaced at the following distances: 3 × 1.5 m, 3 × 1.2 m, 3 × 1 m and 3 × 0.75 m. Based on the obtained results apple trees spaced at 3 × 1.25 m (2667 trees/ha) could be recommended for achieving high yields and good-quality fruits. If cultivated apple cultivars are not winter hardy or not resistant to bark diseases, apple trees on P60 rootstock could be planted at the distance 3 × 1 m or even more densely in order to achieve as high as possible yield in the young orchard.