Drought-resistance of apple sorts on dwarfing rootstocks

Abstract

The experiment revealed the greatest level of water content in leaves of the variety - rootstock apple combinations at the beginning of the vegetation. The average level of water content in leaves was set in at the period of the intensive growth of shoots, ovary and fruit formation (June - August). The significant difference between the varieties was not observed. The analysis of the data allowed determining the influence of rootstocks on the level of water content at p<0,01. To detect the effect of drought on the water content of apple varieties in the laboratory conditions we used the method of leaf wilting. The least water loss was noted in apple leaves in May and June; the greatest loss was noted in July and August. During the vegetation the least water loss after wilting was noted in ‘Yablochny Spas ’. This variety lost more water on the clone rootstock 62 - 396. ‘Orlinka lost more water on the 62 - 396 rootstock either. The reliable influence of varieties features on the level of water loss after wilting at p<0,01 and 0,05 was determined. During the vegetation the studied variety - rootstock apple combinations had high ability to restore the water content of leaves. The dispersion analysis of the results revealed the significant mutual influence between the varieties and rootstocks atp<0,01. The experiment data allowed releasing variety - rootstock combinations ‘Yablochny Spas’ / 317 - 38 insert and ‘Orlinka’ / 62 - 396 insert with the greatest potential of drought resistance.