Fruit Quality and Yield of Different Apple Cultivars as Affected by Tree

Density
T. Eccher and G. Granelli
[Link]., Università degli Studi di Milano
via Celoria, 2, I-20133 Milano
Italy

Keywords: Golden Delicious, Fuji, Braeburn, clones, planting density, yield, quality

Abstract
The evolution of growing techniques and the diffusion of dwarfing rootstocks
resulted in a deep revolution of apple culture, not only in traditional Italian apple
growing locations on the hills, but also in the plains, where a longer growing season
and a higher soil fertility do not allow very high planting density because of the
vigour of the trees. With the aim of evaluating the best tree density to achieve high
yield and good fruit quality for the most important varieties grown in the Po valley
(Golden Delicious, Fuji and Braeburn) an experimental field was established in the
spring 1996 in the Po valley. Four Golden Delicious clones were considered (clone B,
Smoothee, Reinders and Crielaard), three Fuji (Naga-fu 6, Red Sport, Mori Hofu 3A)
and three Braeburn clones (B. standard, Red Braeburn and B. CTIFL). All the plants
were on M9 rootstock and spindle trained, at a distance of 4.5 m between rows. The
distance of the plants on the row was 75, 100, 150 or 200 cm with corresponding tree
density from 1111 to 2962 trees/Ha. Yearly, trunk cross section, total weight and
number of fruit of each tree was checked and fruit quality was evaluated by means of
physical and chemical parameters at harvest and after 5 months in cold storage.
Increasing tree density resulted in higher yield per hectare, but lower yield per tree
was evident as soon as the trees began to compete with each other. Highest planting
density significantly reduced fruit size and quality, but different results were
observed in different varieties and clones. As regards fruit size and quality, variation
between years was wider than variation between planting densities: a significant
decrease of fruit mass and soluble solids content was observed during the last six
years, indicating a progressive competition between trees. The trunk cross size was
reduced at high planting density, due both to competition between trees and to the
higher productivity (yield per hectare), which limit tree growth. It was concluded
that, in the Po valley, the best tree density for the cultivars tested is 2222 trees/ha.

INTRODUCTION
In the last decades the apple growing systems have shifted to more intense
production with denser plantations and smaller trees. In this way the orchard management
costs are lower and a quicker adaptation to market requirements is possible. In the
Nineties, plantings of more than 8000 trees/ha were suggested (Nüberlin, 1990) and up to
10,000-20,000 trees/ha with superspindel training system (Barrit, 1992). Many authors
have examined the influence of planting density on yield per plant and per hectare and on
fruit quality (Mantinger, 1993; Widmer and Krebs, 2001; Hudina et al., 2001). Several
papers, presented at the 7th International Symposium on Orchard and Plantation Systems
(2001), deal with relationship between planting density and fruit quality. While authors
generally agree on the higher yield per hectare of denser plantings, especially in the first
years after planting, in spite of a lower yield per tree, not all authors agree on negative
effects of high density planting on fruit quality. According to Weber (2001), negative
influences on fruit size, colour and soluble solids are only expected in ultra high density
plantings, above 8,000 trees/ha, while Hudina et al. (2001), studying sugar and organic
acid content in several apple varieties with planting density from 2500 to 18000 trees/ha
conclude that the best quality fruit was obtained with 6000 trees/ha. Widmer and Krebs

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Eds. A.C. Purvis et al. 535
Acta Hort. 712, ISHS 2006
(2001) compared different training systems and planting densities between 2400 and 6000
plant/ha and concluded that, with densities exceeding 3000 plant/ha, total yield and
especially the yield of grade 1 fruits after 7 years was not sufficient to offset the higher
investment costs, so in agreement with Mantinger and Vigl (1999) about the fact that
3000-4000 plants/ha are recommended as an upper limit, taking into account profitability
and fruit quality. Österreicher et al. (1995) suggest planting density of 2600-4100 trees/ha
for most diffused varieties in Bolzano province, pointing out that the higher densities (0.8
m on the row) can be used only with well formed plants, with more than 10 lateral shoots
at planting, which can occupy at planting at least 70% of the available space, while less
ramified plants require larger distances (1.2 m on the row). In fact the well formed plants
begin immediately to bear fruit and so reduce growth. In the fertile soils of the plains,
however, also the well formed plants tend to grow too much, both for soil fertility and for
the long growing season. This research was carried out aiming at evaluating the best tree
density to achieve high yield and good fruit quality for the most important apple varieties
grown in the Po valley (Golden Delicious, Fuji and Braeburn).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
In the experimental field of the University of Milan, located at Arcagna near Lodi,
a trial on different tree density was established in the spring of 1996: four Golden
Delicious clones were considered (clone B, Smoothee, Reinders and Crielaard), three Fuji
(Naga-Fu 6, Red Sport, Mori Ho-Fu 3A) and three Braeburn clones (B. standard, Red
Braeburn and B. CTIFL). All the plants were on M9 rootstock and spindle trained in rows
oriented N-S, at a distance of 4.5 m between rows. The distance between rows was
dictated by the size of the machinery used. The distance of the plants on the row was 75,
100, 150 or 200 cm with corresponding tree density of 1111, 1481, 2222, and 2962
trees/ha. 20 trees of each clone were planted at each planting density. Yearly, trunk cross
section, total weight and number of fruit of each tree was measured and fruit quality was
evaluated by means of physical (fruit weight, transversal and longitudinal diameters,
firmness, skin color by mean of Minolta Cromameter) and chemical parameters (soluble
solids, titratable acidity) at harvest and after 5 months in cold storage on 20 samples of 3
similar fruits collected on each of five trees randomly selected within each clone and
planting density. One of the three fruits was analyzed at harvest, the other after storage
and after one week shelf life. All the data collected were statistically analyzed by mean of
analysis of variance and means were compared by Tukey test. In this work only data on
yield, tree growth and fruit quality at harvest are presented.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Influence of Planting Density on Yield Per Tree and Per Ha
Increasing planting density resulted in reduction of the yield per tree during all the
period of observation, from the 3rd leaf (1999) to the 9th one (2005), but yield per hectare
increased as a rule (Table 1). Within the four Golden Delicious clones, Clone B gave the
highest production both per plant and per hectare, beginning from the third leaf, while, of
the other clones, Smoothee was the most and Reinders the least productive. The Fuji
clones did not show remarkable differences in yield per tree at different densities in the
first years: only the Red Sport clone increased the yield per tree in the lowest density as
compared to the highest one in the last year observed. If yield per ha is considered, the
differences due to planting density are enhanced: in the last year 2005 (a high bearing
year) more than 120 tons/ha were produced by each of the 3 clones at the higher densities.
Of the Braeburn clones, the selection CTIFL resulted the earliest and the most productive;
the standard clone gave the worst results as regards productivity. It can also be observed
that, in Braeburn clones, the yields obtained at the third leaf were very similar to the mean
yield of seven years, while in the other cultivars the mean yields were higher than those of
1999: this means that Braeburn was in full production already at the third leaf, while the
other cultivars reached full productivity later.

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Influence of Planting Density on Fruit Quality
As quality of fruit is concerned, statistical analysis did not show significant
differences between different clones of each variety but highly significant differences
between densities and especially between years. Despite the high yield per ha of the high
density planting, a significant reduction in fruit size could be observed at increasing
density in all Golden and Braeburn clones considered (Table 2). No significant reduction
of fruit mass with increasing density was observed in Fuji clones during the observation
period, but the lowest value was found in the highest density. In all cultivars the soluble
solids content was higher in fruits of low density trees than in fruit of high density ones,
but in Braeburn clones the difference was not statistically significant. Also acidity
decreased with increasing plant density, even if not significantly in Fuji. The mean values
of quality parameters reported do not show the variation of quality occurring from year to
year, due to weather conditions and to the growth of trees and to the increasing
competition between them. In Table 3 the mean annual values of the same quality
parameters are reported: a significant decrease of fruit mass and soluble solids content,
can be observed during the last six years. Variation between years was wider than
variation between planting densities, confirming the findings of other authors (Widmer
and Krebs, 2001). However annual variation cannot be attributed only to weather
conditions: the high significance of differences between years, mostly decreasing with
time, notwithstanding the randomness of the seasonal climatic conditions, shows that the
progressive competition between trees overcomes the climatic variability as the cause of
the reduction of fruit quality (mass and soluble solids).
Influence of Planting Density on Tree Growth
Table 4 shows the average tree size measured in the spring 2006, 10 years after
planting: Golden Delicious clones showed the highest differences in the tree development
related to tree density: at the highest density, trunk cross section was about one half of
that at the lowest density. Less difference can be observed in clones of Fuji which is the
most vigorous variety. Also Red Braeburn did not show significant differences in trunk
cross size between different planting densities, but significant differences were found in
the other Braeburn clones. The reduced trunk cross size at high planting density is related
both to competition between trees and to the higher productivity (yield per hectare),
which limit tree growth.

CONCLUSIONS
The highest planting density tested (2962 trees/ha) did not provide significantly
higher yield per hectare as compared to 2222 trees/ha, while reducing significantly fruit
mass and soluble solids content. Therefore, in the fertile plains of Po valley, the best tree
density for the cultivars tested seems to be 2222 trees/ha.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This research was partially supported by Regione Lombardia - Direzione Generale
Agricoltura within ‘Project for Research and Development 2002 and 2004-2006’.
Literature Cited
Barrit, B.H. 1992. Intensive Orchard Management. Washington State University.
Hudina, M., Stampar, F. and Zadravec, P. 2001. The influence of planting density on sugar
and organic acid content in apple (Malus domestica Borkh.). Acta Hort. 557: 313-319.
Mantinger, H. and Vigl, J. 1999. Superspindel und Schlanke Spindel im Vergleich.
Obstbau Weinbau 36: 259-262.
Mantinger, H. 1993. Sistemi di impianto ed evoluzione tecnica della melicoltura in Alto
Adige. Frutticoltura, 59(9): 9-15.
Nüberlin, F. 1990. Superspindel. Obstbau 6, 244.
Österreicher, J., Tappeiner, P., Torggler, B., Tscholl, J. and Weis, H. 1995. Il frutteto
nuovo. Ed. Centro di Consulenza per la fruttiviticoltura dell’Alto Adige. Egna (BZ).

537
Weber, M.S. 2001. Optimizing the tree density in apple orchards on dwarf rootstocks.
Acta Hort. 557: 229-234.
Widmer, A. and Krebs, C. 2001. Influence of planting density and tree form on yield and
fruit quality of ‘Golden Delicious’ and ‘Royal Gala’ apples. Acta Hort. 557: 235-241.

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Tables
Table 1. Yield of Golden Delicious, Fuji and Braeburn clones at different planting density.
Means followed by different letters are significantly different at 5% (Tukey’s test).

density 1999 2005 means (from 1999 to 2005)

Clone trees/ha kg/tree ton/ha kg/tree ton/ha kg/tree ton/ha
Crielaard 1111 24.6 AB 27.3 A 55.7 A 61.8 AB 32.9 C 36.2 A
1481 27.7 B 41.0 B 31.3 A 46.3 A 27.1 B 37.4 A
2222 24.4 AB 54.3 C 46.0 A 102.2 B 26.8 AB 54.6 B
2962 20.0 A 59.3 C 33.6 A 99.5 B 21.8 A 56.9 C
Golden B 1111 42.5 C 53.2 A 66.5 B 73.9 A 37.3 C 42.7 A
1481 37.6 BC 62.9 A 44.3 A 65.6 A 31.9 B 49.1 A
2222 33.7 B 84.4 B 40.1 A 89.2 AB 30.2 AB 69.7 B
2962 25.8 A 85.9 B 37.1 A 109.9 B 23.4 A 72.0 C
Reinders 1111 20.4 A 25.4 A 62.1 C 69.1 A 30.5 C 37.4 A
1481 20.8 A 34.7 AB 36.3 B 53.8 A 26.0 B 39.7 A
2222 16.1 A 40.2 B 22.2 B 51.1 B
2962 15.9 A 53.0 C 19.9 A 59.2 A 16.5 A 50.8 B
Smoothee 1111 23.4 B 29.2 A 69.6 B 93.6 A 32.0 C 38.5 A
1481 25.4 B 42.4 B 63.2 AB 77.3 A 30.3 BC 47.9 AB
2222 22.4 AB 56.0 C 28.6 A 63.6 A 20.7 AB 49.1 BC
2962 18.4 A 61.4 C 50.1 AB 148.6 B 22.6 A 68.8 C
Mori Hofu 1111 11.7 A 13 A 57.2 A 63.5 A 21.9 A 24.4 A
3A 1481 11.2 A 16.6 A 49.6 A 73.5 A 21.2 A 31.4 A
2222 15.2 A 33.9 B 57.8 A 128.4 B 27.2 A 60.4 B
Naga Fu 6 1111 14.4 A 16.1 A 69.4 A 77.1 A 34.9 B 38.8 A
1481 21.3 AB 31.6 B 48.4 A 71.7 A 35.2 B 56.8 B
2222 23.1 B 51.3 C 33.5 A 118.4 B 29.5 AB 74.3 C
2962 17.9 AB 53.1 C 47.2 A 139.8 B 25.2 A 74.6 C
Red Sport 1111 19.1 A 21.2 A 87.1 B 96.8 A 37.1 B 41.2 A
1481 16.3 A 24.2 A 62.9 AB 93.2 A 32.1 B 47.6 AB
2222 19.3 A 42.9 B 57.7 AB 128.1 B 26.4 A 58.6 AB
2962 18.1 A 53.7 B 31.1 A 92.3 A 22.8 A 67.7 B
Braeburn 1111 22.6 A 25.1 A 44.9 B 49.9 AB 19.6 A 23.0 A
1481 18.7 A 27.6 AB 22.2 A 32.9 A 15.9 A 21.8 A
2222 15.1 A 33.5 AB 31.3 AB 69.5 B 20.8 A 46.2 B
2962 16.2 A 47.9 B 21.5 A 63.8 AB 15.7 A 46.5 B
Braeburn 1111 26.1 B 28.9 A 46.3 B 51.4 A 27.7 B 30.7 A
CTIFL 1481 25.5 AB 33.8 AB 32.1 AB 47.5 A 27.3 B 39.8 AB
2222 20.2 AB 44.8 BC 37.2 AB 82.7 B 24.9 AB 55.4 BC
2962 19.0 A 56.4 C 19.0 A 56.2 AB 21.0 A 62.2 C
Red 1111 17.3 A 19.2 A 43.4 B 48.2 A 22.9 AB 25.4 A
Braeburn 1481 23.7 A 35.1 B 39.9 AB 59.1 AB 26.5 B 39.2 B
2222 19.1 A 42.4 B 34.3 AB 76.2 AB 18.4 A 40.8 BC
2962 19.3 A 57.3 C 27.8 B 82.5 B 18.9 A 55.9 C

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Table 2. Fruit mass, soluble solids content and acidity at different planting density: means
of clones and years 2000-2005. In each line, means followed by different letters are
significantly different at 5% (Tukey’s test).

trees/ha
Cultivars
1111 1481 2222 2962
Fruit mass Golden Delicious 212.2 C 205.6 BC 197.6 B 181.3 A
(g) Fuji 220.0 A 220.9 A 219.2 A 209.3 A
Braeburn 192.3 C 181.5 BC 175.0 AB 162.3 A
Soluble solids Golden Delicious 13.2 B 13.1 B 12.4 A 12.4 A
(Bx) Fuji 13.1 AB 13.3 B 12.9 AB 12.3 A
Braeburn 12.0 A 11.8 A 11.9 A 11.5 A
acidity Golden Delicious 6.1 B 6.0 B 6.0 B 5.4 A
(meq/100 g) Fuji 4.6 A 4.4 A 4.2 A 4.4 A
Braeburn 7.1 B 6.4 AB 6.9 AB 6.3 A

Table 3. Fruit mass, soluble solids content and acidity in different years: means of clones
and planting density. In each line, means followed by different letters are significantly
different at 5% (Tukey’s test).

Year
Cultivars
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Fruit mass Golden D. 230.5 D 183.5 AB 219.3 D 172.5 A 198.6 C 190.6 BC
(g) Fuji 252.3 C 237.1 BC 230.0 B 194.7 A 203.5 A 187.6 A
Braeburn 161.5 A 193.8 C 178.1 B
Soluble Golden D. 14.4 D 12.7 BC 13.1 C 12.2 B 12.8 BC 11.4 A
solids Fuji 12.8 B 14.6 D 13.7 C 12.4 AB 12.6 B 11.8 A
(Bx) Braeburn 12.5 B 11.8 A 11.2 A
acidity Golden D. 5.5 AB 5.9 BC 7.3 D 5.1 A 6.2 C 5.1 A
(meq/100 g) Fuji 4.0 A 5.3 B 5.1 B 4.0 A 4.3 A 3.7 A
Braeburn 5.3 A 7.7 C 7.1 B

Table 4. Area of trunk cross section (cm2) at different planting density. Means followed by
different letters are significantly different at 5% (Tukey’s test).

planting density trees/ha

1111 1481 2222 2962
Crielaard 51.0 C 44.3 B 41.3 B 29.6 A
Golden B 63.0 C 49.1 B 44.6 B 37.2 A
Reinders 42.6 A 31.0 B 20.3 A
Smoothee 41.1 C 30.8 B 30.1 B 23.9 A
Mori Hofu 3A 48.2 A 53.0 A 48.1 A
Naga Fu 6 68.1 B 60.2 B 55.2 AB 42.3 A
Red Sport 72.6 B 63.7 AB 52.2 A 48.5 A
Braeburn 37.1 B 34.4 AB 31.1 AB 25 A
Braeburn CTIFL 48.0 B 42.3 AB 34.0 A 33.4 A
Red Braeburn 33.7 A 40.8 A 31.3 A 31.9 A

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