Effect of trunk cross sectional area of rootstock on growth, yield, quality and leaf nutrient status in apricot (Prunus armeniaca) cv CITH-Apricot-2

Abstract

Trunk Cross-sectional Area (TCSA) of rootstock of apricot tree is a simple and useful index for estimation of growth, yield and fruit quality of apricot. Studies were undertaken to find out the effect of TCSA of rootstock of bearing apricot trees indicated that canopy volume, fruit yield, quality and leaf nutrient status of apricot cv. CITH-Apricot-2 during 2010 and 2011. A progressive increase in canopy volume, fruit number, yield and leaf nutrient content were recorded with increasing TCSA of rootstock. Fruit weight and size decreased with increasing TCSA. The quality parameters such as TSS and TSS/acid ratio were also increased with increasing TCSA whereas acidity decreased with increasing TCSA. Thus, positive and linear relationship has been found with increasing TCSA for growth, yield, quality and leaf nutrient content while fruit weight, size and acidity content showed negative relationship in apricot.