Effect of the rootstocks on the quality of apricot maiden trees produced in the organic nursery.

The rootstock is a very important component in the production of fruit trees in the nursery. Its suitable choice effects on quality parameters of maiden trees, their growth and fruiting in the orchard. The effect of different rootstocks on the quality of apricot trees produced in the organic nursery was evaluated in 2011-2012. Assessment and measurement was carried out in the nursery, located at the Experimental Organic Orchard at Nowy Dwor Parcela near Skierniewice, Central Poland. Clonal rootstocks ‘Pumiselect’, as well as seedlings of Myrobalan and ‘Wangenheim Prune’ were budded with three apricot cultivars: 'Early Orange', 'Goldrich' and 'Harcot’. In the autumn of the first and the second year of the experiment the height and stem diameter of the rootstocks and maiden trees were measured. The number of lateral shoots and their length were also recorded for the maiden trees. The highest number of trees, in relation to the number of budded rootstocks, was obtained for trees on Myrobalan seedlings. The lowest number was obtained for maidens on 'Wangenheim Prune' seedlings. The best quality trees were obtained for apricot cultivars budded on 'Pumiselect' clonal rootstock, and the weakest on 'Wangenheim Prune’ seedlings.