The impact of the cultivation system on the yield and quality of sweet cherries

Abstract

The goal of this study, which was conducted between 2010 and 2022, was to evaluate the impact of the variety-rootstock association, the crown shape and the planting distance on the production and quality parameters of sweet cherries. Stationary experiments have been carried out using diverse sweet cherry varieties, such as Valerii Cikalov, Record, Ferrovia, Kordia, Regina, Stella, Skeena, Bigarreau Burlat, Lapins, grafted on Cerasus mahaleb, L. and Gisela-6 rootstocks, in various combinations, and which have been planted at diverse planting distances. The trees grafted on the Cerasus mahaleb, L., rootstock have shown rapid growth and an average fruit yield of 15.58-16.12 t/ha during the period of their full productivity. The harvest of the trees grafted on the Gisela 6 and MaxMa 14 rootstocks has been early and amounted to 12.50-14.58 t/ha. The varieties Bigarro Burlat, Ferrovia and Lapins, planted at a distance of 5 x 1.5 m, have given a yield of 17.98-20.07 t/ha, which is 12.2-24.9% higher than that of the trees which have been planted at a distance of 4 x 2.5 m.