The influence of the planting distance on the development of the cherry root system

Abstract

This study presents the distribution of roots in the soil in commercial cherry orchards (Prunus avium L.) depending on the planting distance. The study was carried out in the southern fruit tree area of the Republic of Moldova on the Ferrovia cherry variety, aged 3 years, grafted on Gisela 6, planted at the distance of 5x1.5 m, 5x2 m and 5x2.5 m and crowns after the Crown naturally ameliorated with low volume. The weight and length of the roots were determined on horizontal sections at 0-25 cm, 26-50 cm, 51-75 cm, 76-100 cm, 101-125 cm and 126-150 cm from the trunk, at 0- 20 cm, 21-40 cm, 41-60 cm and 61-80 cm. Each soil layer has been rooted, washed, dried, and distributed in size categories: below 1 mm, 1-3 mm, 3-5 mm, over 5 mm. The length of roots is determined by fibrous roots (95.4-95.8%), and mass - by skeletal roots (65.6-69.3%). Most roots after length (69.8-82.9%) and after meal (88.8-92.8%) are distributed on a depth of 0-60 cm.