Bud-take and maiden tree parameters of two apricot cultivars budded on different seedling rootstocks

Abstract

Bud-take and growth of apricot cultivars ‘Morden 604’ and ‘LAK 101’ budded on seedling rootstocks Wangenheim Prune (P. domestica L.), Erunosid (P. domestica L.), A.4 (P. armeniaca L.) and M.46 (P. armeniaca L.) were compared with seedlings P. cerasifera var. divaricata Borkh. as the control. The effectiveness of budding was high and varied from 88.8% to 97.2% depending on rootstock/cultivar combinations. However, rootstock had no significant influence on the number of budded trees produced in the nursery. Apricot seedlings A.4 and M.46 gave very high quality maidens. The one-year-old apricot trees budded on these rootstocks were significantly higher and thicker than trees on P. divaricata. The trees of both cultivars tested on Wangenheim Prune and Erunosid were weaker in terms of all grow parameters than those grafted on P. divaricata.