Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture (한국환경농학회지)

The Korean Society of Environmental Agriculture (한국환경농학회)
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Influence of Tree Thinning on Vegetative Growth, Yield and Fruit Quality of 'Fuji'/M.9 Apple Trees in the High Density Orchard

고밀식 사과원에서의 간벌이 '후지'/M.9 사과나무의 영양생장, 생산량 및 과실품질에 미치는 영향

  • Hun-Joong Kweon (Division of Horticulture & Management Research, GyeongsanbukDo Agricultural Research & Extension Services) ;
  • Dong-Hoon Sagong (Department of Horticulture, College of Natural and Life Sciences, Daegu University)
  • 권헌중 (경상북도농업기술원 원예경영연구과) ;
  • 사공동훈 (대구대학교 과학생명융합대학 원예학과)
  • Received : 2023.04.20
  • Accepted : 2023.06.19
  • Published : 2023.06.30
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Abstract

As apple trees mature, it is important to maintain good light distribution within the canopy to produce marketable fruits. Tree thinning is the selective removal of a proportion of trees growing in the orchard to provide more growing space and a good light environment for the remaining trees. This study was conducted over 3 years (14-16 years after planting) to investigate the influence of tree thinning on vegetative growth, yield, fruit quality, and blooming in the 14 years old slender spindle 'Fuji'/M.9 apple trees planted with the tree space of 3.2×1.2 m. The trees were placed in a control group (no thinning; 260 trees per 10 a) or a tree thinning group (thinned 50% of the control; 130 trees per 10 a). The tree thinning successfully improved light penetration, yield per tree, fruit red color, and yield efficiency for 3 years, and the tree thinning controlled the occurrence of biennial bearing. However, tree thinning significantly decreased accumulated yield per 10 a compared with the control. The vegetative growth, yield per tree, soluble solid contents, and blooming were not clear by the occurrence of biennial bearing in the control. These results indicated that tree thinning was a good method for improving light penetration and preventing biennial bearing in the old 'Fuji'/M.9 high-density apple orchards.

Keywords

References

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