Species, Cultivars, Rootstocks and Environment

Abstract

World apricot production by no means meets the total need of the international market (fresh and processed fruits) and is far below the potential in view of the existing favourable geographic, climatic and agrotechnical conditions. The cause for this insufficient world production of apricots, particularly in certain countries which have favourable conditions for apricot culture and its expansion, should be investigated using scientific and technical concepts concerning the apricot decline syndrome (apoplexy, sudden wilting, withering of apricots). After the mutual assistance of research workers from different disciplines in investigating this complex disease, the economic security of apricot growing can be improved and apricot decline reduced to an acceptable level. Special attention must be paid to selecting appropriate cultivars, rootstocks or interstocks, locations and cultivation techniques.

Influence of stock on the early tree growth, yield and fruit quality traits of apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.)

“…For this reason, high and semi high-density cultivation systems with Blackthorn interstocks can be valuable in apricot as it is the case in other fruit species. However, as the Cacak Region has insufficient irrigation water, seedling rootstocks should continue to be used in this area, as previously described by Paunovic (1977). Similar data reported Son & Küden (2003).…”

“…and/or autochthonous plum cultivars belong to P. domestica L. ('Belošljiva', 'Petrovača') and P. insititia L. ('Trnošljiva'). For example, 'Belošljiva' had good soil adaptation, good graft compatibility, but problems of excessive suckering and Plum pox virus infection are limiting its use (Paunovic 1977).…”

“…However, few refer to the agronomic performance of adequate rootstocks (Egea et al 2004;Hernández et al 2010), especially of interstock, for apricot (Southwick & Weis 1998;Djuric & Keserovic 1999). Myrobalan seedlings are the most common rootstock in Serbian apricot orchards (Paunovic 1977), since the plum rootstocks are preferred for apricots in heavy and water logged soils (Güleryüz et al 1996). Additionally, apricot grafted on Myrobalan seedlings has a number of disadvantages, such as incompatibility, unstable yield, excessive vigour, nonuniform growth, early onset and late termination of the growing season, winter killing of blossom buds, frequent occurrence of apoplexy, susceptible to Pseudomonas ssp., and low yield (Crossa-Raynaud & Audergon 1987).…”