Influence of the pruning system on the growth and productivity of slender spindle apple trees

Abstract

Slender spindle is currently the most widespread pruning system for apple trees in the Czech Republic. However, further modifications of this pruning system have been developed. In this study, two pruning systems were compared in the years 2012 to 2015: slender spindle and modified slender spindle (characterised by 'click' pruning). The pruning systems were validated on three varieties, using either winter pruning or winter pruning supplemented with late summer pruning in August. The studied parameters included the average length of annual shoots, increase of trunk cross-sectional area (ITCA), fruit yield per tree, specific yield, average fruit weight, number of fruits and their size in various parts of the tree crown, the number of interventions by pruning and the total weight of the removed biomass. There were no significant differences in most of the parameters mentioned above. Application of the 'click' pruning technique over several years significantly increased the number of cuttings but the total biomass removed was lower compared with traditional slender spindle.

Keywords

• pome fruits
• training
• varieties
• biomass
• fruit weight