The impact of the pruning time of Kordia variety cherry trees (Prunus avium L.) on the fruit quality and yield

Abstract

The study was conducted in the centralarea of the Republic of Moldova between 2018 and 2020. The aim of the researches was to assess the effect of the pruning of Kordia variety cherry trees (Prunus avium L.), grafted on the Maxima 14 rootstock, during the dormancy and the growing season, namely during the rest period (the control group), during the flowering period, after harvesting (July) and in early autumn (the first decade of September). It was determined that, the pruning performed during the dormancy, when used as a strategy to maintain the physiological balance between growth and fruiting and to regulate the fruit number, was sufficient for the Kordia variety grafted on the Maxima 14 rootstock. The pruning which was done in early autumn contributed positively to the average weight of the fruit and its distribution depending on its diameter, reducing the number of fruit per tree. It also reduced the percentage (3.8-7.8 %) of the fruit 24 mm and downwards in diameter and increased the crop of fruit (17.7-33.6%) 28 mm and upwards in diameter, without affecting the total yield.