INTERACTIONS BETWEEN DIFFERENT VEGETATIVE PRUNUS ROOTSTOCKS AND SCION GROWTH AND PRODUCTIVITY OF APRICOT

The study was carried out in the conditions of South-East of Romania, at the Research Station for Fruit Growing Constanta, during 2003-2009. The behavior of nine clonal Prunus rootstocks was studied: 'Scoldus', 'Galbior', 'Saint Julien A' (from Prunus domestica), 'Cs 5', 'Cs 4', 'Apricor’, 'Cs 1' (interspecific hybrids between Prunus cerasifera x Prunus armeniaca), 'Otesani 8' (clonal selection from P. Domestica)) and 'Miroper' (interspecific hybrid between P. cerasifera x P. persica) grafted with 3 apricot cultivars: 'Sirena', 'Selena' and 'Sulmona'. The aim of this study was to estimate the influence of these rootstocks on survival and agronomic performances of 3 apricot cultivars from the 19th to the 25th years after planting. An experimental orchard was planted in spring of 1984, at 4.5 by 3 m, with trees trained as vase. The following traits were recorded: % of trees loss, the growth of shoots, yield on tree, trunk cross sectional area, productivity. As results of the investigations we found that: 'Saint Julien A', 'Otesani 8', 'Scoldus' and 'Miroper' rootstocks had induced longevity to apricot grafted cultivars, having the smallest % of trees loss. 'Saint Julien A' and 'Otesani 8' rootstocks had induced a good capacity of shooting to apricot grafted cultivars. The vigor of the cultivar - rootstock combinations was differed according to cultivar and rootstock. 'Miroper' rootstocks induced a lower vigor while 'Cs 1' and 'Apricor' have induced a higher vigor to the grafted cultivars. Among rootstocks, 'Galbior' and 'Apricor’ have improved productivity to cultivars grafted them.