Influence of rootstocks and planting schemes of apple tree cv. 'Ligol' on productivity and fruit quality.

The experiment of apple tree cv. ‘Ligol’ rootstocks and planting schemes was arranged at the Lithuanian Institute of Horticulture in 1999. Investigations were carried out in young orchard in 2001–2005. There were investigated fruit trees of cv. ‘Ligol’ on rootstock P 60 planted at spacing of 4 x 2 m (1250 trees / ha), on rootstock P 2 planted at spacings of 4 x 2 m (1250 trees/ha) and 4 x 1.5 m (1667 trees/ha), and on rootstock P 22 planted at spacings of 4 x 1.5 m (1667 trees/ha) and 4 x 1 m (2500 trees/ha). It was established that apple tree cv. ‘Ligol’ on rootstock P 2 and P 60 yielded most abundantly (21.1–22.9 kg / tree). Apple trees on super dwarf rootstock P 22 yields significantly loss (9.2–11.0 kg / tree). Fruit trees of cv. ‘Ligol’ on rootstock P 60 and P 2 were the most vigorous, and these on rootstock P 22 – the most productive ones. Significantly the biggest average fruit yield per unit of area was obtained from fruit trees of cv. ‘Ligol’ on rootstocks P 60 and P 2 (26.4–28.6 t/ha). When the distances among fruit trees on rootstocks P 2 and P 22 were decreased by 0.5 m, the yield increased insignificantly. Fruit trees on more vigorous rootstocks P 60 and P 2 produce significantly the biggest fruits and their mass does not depend on planting distances. From the practical point of view it is suggested to grow in commercial orchards fruit trees of cv. ‘Ligol’ on rootstocks P 2 and P 60 spaced at 4 x 1.5–2 m.