EFFECT OF APPLICATION OF MYCORRHIZAL FUNGI ON APPLE TREES GROWTH AFTER PLANTING [VLIV APLIKACE MYKORHIZNÍCH HUB NA RŮST JABLONÍ PO VÝSADBĚ]

Abstract

The effect of mycorrhizal fungi on the rooting and growth of apple trees was evaluated in experimental plantings in Research and Breeding Institute of Pomology Holovousy Ltd. at location Holovousy, district Jičín, Czech Republic. Product Symbivit that contains five species of mycorrhizal fungi was applied during planting on apple cultivars ‘Angoldʼ, ʻAntopaʼ, ʻIdapazʼ, ʻMeteorʼ and ʻTopazʼ on M9 rootstocks. Trees were planted in the spring 2022. The planting was without drip irrigation. Mycorrhizal fungi were applied during planting directly to the roots. Differences in the diameter of tree stems in the experimental variants were compared with control variants. Measurements were done after planting, in fall 2022 and 2023. In the first year of cultivation, a significant difference in growth was noted in trees treated with the product compared to control. The diameter of tree trunk with the application of mycorrhiza was 1.8 mm while in the control without application 1.4 mm in the first year, respective 4.5 mm and 4.1 mm after the second year of cultivation.

Keywords

• malus × domestica borkh.
• symbiotic relationships
• fruit cultivation
• tree growth
• rootstocks