Clonal rootstocks of stone cultures for intensive orchards of the south of Russia
The characteristic of the new clonal rootstocks of Krymsk Experimental Breeding Station selection suitable for use in intensive technologies of cultivation of stone cultures: plum, apricot, peach (Alab 1, Best, VVA-1, VSV-1, Druzba, Zarevo, Kuban 86, Spiker, Fortuna, Evrika 99), sweet cherry and cherry (VSL-1, VSL-2, VC-13, L-2, LC-52, RVL-9) is given. These rootstocks are rather resistant against a complex of harmful biotic and abiotic stresses that provides their high adaptability to adverse factors of the environment of the South of Russia. The most dwarf rootstocks: VVA-1, VSV-1, Best, the Speaker, VSL-1 allow to plant unto 2,5 thousand and more plants per hectare of grafted trees of stone cultures in plantings. It is easy to form such trees on the most effective modern systems of crown, in particular: “the ﬂexible spindle” (peach, plum), “Lieder Vogel” and “Spanish bush” (sweet cherry). All new clonal rootstocks have an extensive root system that provides good anchorage of the trees that do not require additional support. They (except the VC-13) does not constitute or form a small root seedlings. With good compatibility with a wide range of crops and varieties there are exceptions. In particular, varieties of home plum Kabardinskaia ranniaia, Siniaia ptitsa and Ballada are not compatible with the rootstock Kuban 86; a number of varieties of apricots and peaches is not compatible with the rootstock VSV-1, some varieties of cherries is incompatible with the rootstock L-2, VSL-1. All new clonal rootstocks provide earlier entry into fruiting varieties grafted on these stone fruits and their high productivity. Along with dwarf rootstocks Kuban 86 - for plum and peach, LC-52 - for sweet cherries have proven themselves most early appearance of fruit. Best, VVA-1 and VSV-1 for plum were the most productive in the entire period of fruiting trees on dwarf rootstocks. Of the semi-dwarf and semi-vigor rootstocks the trees on clonal rootstocks Kuban 86 and Evrika 99 (for plum), VSL-2 and LC-52 (for sweet cherry) were more productive. The fruits of the trees grafted on clonal rootstocks do not reduce the size and the quality compared to those grafted on seed rootstocks.