Influence of strains and rootstocks on photosynthesis, respiration, and morphology of delicious apple trees

Abstract

The performance of young container grown apple trees of two Delicious strains was studied under greenhouse conditions in a 2 year experiment. Redspur Delicious, a spur type strain, and Richared Delicious were grown on seedling rootstocks in the first season and on seedling, MM 106, and M VII-A rootstocks the following year. Net photosynthesis (Pn) of Redspur leaves tended to be higher than the Pn of Richared leaves. One season's data indicated that the Pn leaves of greenhouse grown trees on seedling rootstocks was higher than those on MM 106. Leaves of trees on M VII-A were intermediate in Pn. The respiration rates were not affected by strains or rootstocks. Standard Delicious trees were more vigorous than trees of the spur type as indicated by greater shoot length, internode length, leaf number and total leaf area. The spur type trees had, however, a greater bark-wood ratio. Rootstocks affected both leaf size and dry leaf weight, but strains did not. 4 figures, 2 tables.