Effect of interstock (M.9 and M.27) on vegetative growth and yield of apple trees (cv Annurca)

With the purpose of obtaining apple plants with reduced vigour but deep and expanded root apparatus, more adapted for establishment of apple orchards in dry, windy areas and higher altitudes, different interstem/rootstock combinations were compared, using seedling as rootstock and, alternatively, two weak interstocks (M.9 and M.27). For all treatments the plants were grafted at two height from soil (10 and 20 cm), interposing interstock 10 or 20 cm long. Plants with interstock showed lower vegetative growth in comparison with control plants with a reduction of 80% (M.27) and of 50% (M.9) of canopy growth. Moreover, use of interstock determined, as compared with the control plants, an increase of fruit production and average fruit weight. It was noted that increasing the interstock length, caused reduction of plants vigour and fruit production. The results showed that, the combination Annurca Rossa del Sud/M.9 (10 cm long)/seedling rootstock (20 cm high) was the most efficient for productivity, early maturing and plant vigour control. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.