COMMERCIAL- BIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF APPLE TREES VARIETY ON SK SERIES ROOTSTOCKS IN ARID CONDITIONS

Abstract

Scientifically substantiated use of the best scion-rootstock combinations of fruit crops is one of the most important factors in increasing the efficiency of horticulture. For the first time in the soil and climatic conditions of the Astrakhan region, in the Caspian Agrarian Federal Scientific Center, under the Agreement on Creative Cooperation since 2011 have been testing rootstocks of the SK series (Northern Caucasus) selected by the North Caucasian Federal Scientific Center for Horticulture, Viticulture, Winemaking in combination with zoned apple varieties (27 scion-rootstock combinations). The purpose of the research is to study the economic and biological indicators of apple varieties on the SK series rootstocks and to identify scion-rootstock combinations for use in intensive-type orchards in arid conditions. It was revealed that the Renet Simirenko variety had the highest biometric indicators on almost all rootstocks; in the 8–10th year of operation, the trees occupied 75.0–100% of the feeding area allotted to them, respectively. Varieties Idared and Melba had a more restrained growth, the percentage of development of the feeding area was 54.5-65.9% and 41.0-68.6%. Rootstock SK3 had the greatest weakening effect on the growth processes of all varieties, the development of the allotted feeding area was 40.0-70.0%. The varieties Renet Simirenko on rootstocks SK3 and SK4 (37.4…33.6 t/ha), Idared on SK4 (46.3 t/ha), Renet Simirenko and Idared on SK2 (25.4 …27.5 t/ha). A higher degree of drought resistance for all varieties was provided by dwarf rootstocks SK4, SK7, as well as semi-dwarf SK5 and medium-sized SK1, water loss during wilting had minimal values: 3.0-4.7% for 1 hour and 11.9-18.7% for 4 hours. According to the complex of production and biological indicators for laying intensive-type orchards in the arid conditions of the Astrakhan region, along with the widespread rootstocks of the M series, small-stature form of rootstocks SK3, SK4 and semi-dwarf SK2 are recommended.