Preliminary Performance of Hedelfingen Cherry on Ten Rootstocks in the 1998 NC-140 Sweet Cherry Rootstock Trial

1. Preliminary Performance of Hedelfingen Cherry on Ten Rootstocks in the 1998 NC-140 Sweet Cherry Rootstock Trial R.L.Perry, R. Andersen, R. Crassweller, B. Lay, G. Reighard, F. Kappel, G. Lang and D. Stefanelli*

4. Abstract An NC-140 sweet cherry rootstock trial was established at 5 sites (Michigan, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, New York and Ontario, Canada) in 1998. This preliminary report summarizes the performance of Hedelfingen on only 10 rootstocks tested uniformly among all 5 sites. Except where noted, each site established the trees in a randomized complete block design with 8 replications of single plant plots per treatment. This is an early report demonstrating rootstock influence on tree survival and vigor after 3 years and blossom density and cropping in the first year.

5. Abstract (cont.) Significant cropping of Hedelfingen in 2000 was only recorded in Ontario and Michigan where the average among all treatments was less than 0.4 and 0.1 kg, respectively. Cropping among treatments was not statistically significant among all treatments in Michigan and not among the top 8 treatments in Ontario. The highest yields were recorded on Gi.7, Gi.195/20 and W.53.

6. Abstract (cont.) The most vigorous trees are at MI and SC and the least at Ont and NY. Trees are most dwarfing on Gi.5 and Edabriz and most vigorous on Mazzard seedling, W.10 and W.158. More blossoms (expressed as a ratio of numbers of blossom clusters per trunk cross sectional area) were recorded in spring 2000 at MI than 2 other sites (data for NY and SC not presented). Hedelfingen appeared most precocious on Gisela series 195/20, 7, 6, and 5.

7. Procedure An NC-140 sweet cherry rootstock trial was established at 5 sites (Michigan, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, New York and Ontario, Canada) in 1998. This preliminary report summarizes the performance of Hedelfingen on only 10 rootstocks tested uniformly among all 5 sites. Some sites were established with an additional number of rootstock treatments beyond the 10 tested in all sites. Except where noted, each site established the trees in a randomized complete block design with 8 replications of single plant plots per treatment.

8. Procedure (cont.) Trees were planted at a spacing of 3 x 4.5 m or a density of 740 trees / ha (10 X 15 ft. or 290 trees / acre) and trained to a central leader training system. Trees were planted so that the initial union height with respect to soil was established at 7.5 - 10 cm and trickle irrigated. Tree vigor has been assessed annually by making trunk measurements and expressed as trunk cross sectional area. Precocity is expressed here as a ratio of numbers of blossom clusters to trunk cross sectional area in fall 2000. Significant yield was only recorded at 2 sites.

9. Results and Discussion The most vigorous trees are at MI and SC and the least at Ont and NY. Trees are most dwarfing on Gi.5 and Edabriz and most vigorous on Mazzard seedling, W.10 and W.158 (Table 1). Significant cropping of Hedelfingen in 2000 was only recorded in Ontario and Michigan where the average among all treatments was less than 0.4 and 0.1 kg, respectively. Cropping among treatments was not statistically significant among all treatments in Michigan and not among the top 8 treatments in Ontario. The highest yields were recorded on Gi.7, Gi.195/20 and W.53.

10. Results and Discussion (cont.) More blossoms (expressed as a ratio of numbers of blossom clusters per trunk cross sectional area) were recorded in spring 2000 at MI than 2 other sites (data for NY and SC not presented) (Table 2). Hedelfingen appeared most precocious on Gisela series 195/20, 7, 6, and 5.

13. Summary of Results The most vigorous trees are at MI and SC. Trees are most dwarfing on Gi.5, W. 53 and Edabriz. Hedelfingen appeared most precocious on Gisela series 195/20, 7, 6, and 5.