Effects of high density planting and two training methods of dwarf apple trees grown in sub-Carpathian region

Apple trees of 'Jonagold' cultivar ('Jonica' strain) grafted on M.9 and P 22 rootstocks were planted in 1994 on medium heavy loam soil at a distance of 3.5 x 1.0 or 1.3 m to be trained as a slender spindle system and at 3.5 x 1.0 or 0.7 m to be trained as vertical axis. Trees on M.9 grew stronger than on P 22 and produced 25% more fruit per tree than on P 22. Those on P 22 were more efficient in cropping and yielded significantly better in the slender spindle system than in vertical axis. The highest yield per ha was obtained from trees on M.9 trained as vertical axis. There was no difference in fruit quality between studied treatments.