The Influence of Rootstock and High-Density Planting on Apple cv. Auksis Fruit Quality

• Main Authors: Kristina Laužikė, Nobertas Uselis, Giedrė Samuolienė
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-06-01
• Series: Plants
• Subjects: <i>Malus domestic</i>; carbohydrates; organic acids; mineral elements
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/10/6/1253

Global demand for food is increasing each year, but the area of land suitable for farming is limited. Thus, there is a need to grow not only larger quantities of food but also higher quality food products in the same area. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of rootstock and high-density orchards on cv. Auksis fruit quality. Two rootstocks were selected for this experiment, P 22 super dwarfing and P 60 dwarfing. Apple trees cv. Auksis were planted in the year 2001 in single rows spaced 1.00 m, 0.75 m, and 0.50 m, apart with 3 m between rows. High-density planting and rootstock combination was found to have no significant effect on sugar accumulation and most of the elements in apple fruits. However, super dwarfing P 22 rootstock accumulated significantly higher (up to 45%) content of organic acids and up to 33%–44% lower DPPH free radical scavering activity compared to P 60 dwarfing rootstock. After summarizing the obtained results, apples which accumulated the most antioxidants (according to the activity of phenolic compounds, DPPH^• and ABTS^•), magnesium, and potassium were collected from cv. Auksis apple trees which was grafted on super dwarfing P 22 rootstock and planted at 3 × 0.75 m distances.