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Interaction of Crop Load and Irrigation on Yield, Fruit Size, Color and Stem-end Splitting Ratio of Apple c.v. ‘Gala, Galaxy’

Wechselwirkung von Behangdichte und Bewässerungsmenge auf Ertrag, Fruchtgröße, Farbe und Anteil der am Stielansatz aufplatzenden Äpfel bei der Sorte 'Gala, Galaxy'

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Abstract

In this study, the interaction between crop load and irrigation level on yield, fruit size, skin color and stem-end splitting fruit ratio in the apple cultivar ‘Gala, Galaxy’ grafted on rootstock M9 were investigated. Six irrigation programs were applied during the whole growth season: deficit irrigation (rates of 0.25 kc, 0.50 kc, 0.75 kc), full irrigation (rate of 1.00 kc), excess irrigation (rate of 1.25 kc) and non-irrigation (rates of 0.00 kc of “Class A” pan evaporation coefficient). Four crop loads in each irrigation application were performed by hand thinning after the June drop as a- a low crop load (3 fruits cm−2 TCA), b- a medium crop load (5 fruits cm−2 TCA), c- a heavy crop load (7 fruits cm−2 TCA), and d- an un-thinned crop load (> 7 fruits cm−2 TCA). The total tree yield increased with crop load and irrigation levels. Fruit size was significantly increased by the low crop load. Irrigation increased the fruit size compared to non-irrigation treatment. Further 0.75 kc, 1.00 kc and 1.25 kc irrigation treatments significantly increased the fruit length. Irrigation reduced the fruit flesh firmness. While the low crop load increased the skin red color, it decreased the fruit skin brightness. The yellowness of skin decreased with increasing in the irrigation amount. Irrigation reduced the skin brightness and yellowness, but it increased red color. Crop load and irrigation significantly affected the stem-end splitting fruit ratio. While the splitting fruit ratio increased with a decrease in the crop load, it decreased with an increase in irrigation amount, relatively. Consequently, the low and medium crop load treatments would be beneficial to increase the ratio of marketable fruits without any significant losses in yield for ‘Gala’ apple, especially under 0.75 kc deficit irrigation treatment.

Zusammenfassung

In dieser Studie wurde bei der Sorte ‘Gala, Galaxy’, veredelt auf der Unterlage M9, die Wechselwirkung zwischen Behangdichte und Bewässerungsmenge in Bezug auf Ertrag, Farbe der Fruchtschale und Anteil der Früchte, die am Stielansatz aufplatzen, untersucht. Sechs abgestufte Bewässerungsprogramme wurden während der gesamten Vegetationsperiode durchgeführt: Defizitbewässerung (bei kc = 0,25, kc = 0,50 und kc = 0,75, Pflanzenkoeffizienten, jeweils bezogen auf die Referenzverdunstung nach Class A-pan), optimale Bewässerung (bei kc = 1,00), Überschussbewässerung (bei kc = 1,25) und ohne Bewässerung (bei kc = 0,00 Class A-pan).

Nach dem Junifruchtfall wurden in jeder Beregnungsvariante vier verschiedene Behangdichten per Handausdünnung hergestellt: a. geringe Behangdichte mit 3 Früchten pro cm2 Stammquerschnitt, b. mittlere Behangdichte mit 5 Früchten pro cm2 Stammquerschnitt, c. hohe Behangdichte mit 7 Früchten pro cm2 Stammquerschnitt und c. eine nicht ausgedünnte Kontrolle mit mehr als 7 Früchten pro cm2 Stammquerschnitt. Der Gesamtertrag pro Baum steigerte sich mit der Behangdichte und der Bewässerungsintensität. Die Fruchtgröße steigerte sich signifikant bei geringer Behangdichte. Verglichen mit der nicht bewässerten Variante verbesserte die Bewässerung generell die Fruchtgröße. Des Weiteren vergrößerte die Defizitbewässerung bei kc = 0,25, kc = 0,50 und kc = 0,75 die Fruchtlänge in einem signifikanten Ausmaße. Die Bewässerung verminderte die Fruchtfleischfestigkeit. Während die geringe Behangdichte bei den Früchten den Anteil der roten Deckfarbe steigerte, nahm die Leuchtkraft im Gegenzuge ab. Mit Zunahme der Bewässerungsstärke nahm die gelbe Farbe der Fruchtschale ab. Die Bewässerung verminderte die Leuchtkraft und den Gelbanteil der Fruchtschalenfarbe, aber sie erhöhte der Anteil an roter Deckfarbe. Die Behangdichte und die Bewässerung beeinflussen das Aufplatzen der Früchte am Stielansatz signifikant. Während der Anteil der aufgeplatzten Früchte mit abnehmender Behangdichte mehr wurde, nahm er mit zunehmender Bewässerungsintensität relativ ab. Zusammenfassend lässt sich sagen, dass, insbesondere mit einer Defizitbewässerung bei kc = 0,75, niedrige und mittlere Behangdichten günstig sind, um den Anteil marktfähiger Früchte zu steigern, ohne einen signifikanten Ertragsverlust bei der Sorte ‘Gala‘ verbuchen zu müssen.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Suleyman Demirel University, 32260, Isparta, Turkey

    Fatma Yıldırım & Adnan Nurhan Yıldırım

  2. Fruits Research Enstitute, Eğirdir/Isparta, Turkey

    Emel Vural

  3. Department of Agricultural Structures and Irrigation, Faculty of Agriculture, Suleyman Demirel University, 32260, Isparta, Turkey

    Yusuf Uçar

Authors
  1. Fatma Yıldırım
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  2. Emel Vural
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  3. Yusuf Uçar
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  4. Adnan Nurhan Yıldırım
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Correspondence to Fatma Yıldırım.

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Yıldırım, F., Vural, E., Uçar, Y. et al. Interaction of Crop Load and Irrigation on Yield, Fruit Size, Color and Stem-end Splitting Ratio of Apple c.v. ‘Gala, Galaxy’. Erwerbs-Obstbau 58, 103–111 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10341-015-0262-6

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