Characteristics of organic sweet cherry rootstocks (Biofruitnet Practice Abstract)

Summary

Regular and precocious yields of high market quality fruit for fresh consumption. Good flavour and significantly higher incomes from newly established organic cherry orchards.
• Dwarfing and semi-dwarfing rootstocks reduce tree vigour, induce precocity, enhance disease resistance and enable growers to harvest premium-quality fruit from high-density orchards.
• Dwarfing and semi-dwarfing rootstocks can achieve full production in 5 - 6 years vs 8 - 12 years of traditional rootstocks (Mazzard F 12/1, Mahaleb).
• The size of trees depends on soil fertility, selected cultivar, irrigation, location and pruning.
• Support the trees using Gisela 6 and Gisela 5 rootstock with stakes to avoid tilting due to week anchorage.
• Self-fertile cherry cultivars combined with dwarfing rootstocks give more regular yields and improve financial flow in newly established orchards.
• Avoid the most dwarfing rootstocks (Gisela 5 and Krymsk 6) in shallow and low fertile soils.
• Check with advisors that the size-controlling rootstocks chosen for new plantings fit to the desired tree density, soil and climatic conditions.
• Size-controlling rootstocks allow pedestrian orchards with easier and safer management and a more productive working environment.