Influence of In-row Spacing on Yield of ‘Golden Delicious’ and ‘Starking Delicious’ Apple on M 9 Rootstock in Hedgerows1

Abstract

‘Golden Delicious’ and ‘Starking Delicious’ apple ( Malus domestica Borkh.) on Mailing 9 (M 9) rootstock were planted in 1956 in alternate rows 4.57 m (15 ft) apart, with in-row spacings of 1.22, 1.83 and 2.44 m (4, 6, and 8 ft). Average annual yield was higher at the closest spacing (1794 trees/ha) during the entire 18 years of the test. The pattern of yield was similar for the 2 cultivars but was higher for ‘Golden Delicious’ because of the lower fruit set of ‘Starking’ in some years due to adverse weather. Pruning during the last 6 years of the test was done by mechanical shearing of tops and sides, with no detailed pruning within the fruiting wall. This type of pruning on dwarf trees resulted in adequate fruit size, color, and quality with normal fruit thinning practices.