Published in Scientific Papers. Series B, Horticulture, Vol. LXVIV, Issue 2
Written by Cristian Marian CALINITA, Andreea Mihaela UDREA BRASLA, Cătălin-Viorel OLTENACU, Mihai BOTU
The study (2022-2023) at Moara Domnească Experimental Base, affiliated with the Research and Development Station for Pomology Băneasa, Ilfov County, evaluated the effects of land shaping, localized irrigation, and two rootstocks on the growth of the 'Anna Späth’ plum cultivar using a split-plot experimental design. Planting on ridged terrain did not significantly enhance growth parameters. In 2023, the trunk cross-sectional area was 1.23 cm2 smaller per tree in ridged terrain than in flat terrain. Localized irrigation significantly improved growth. The trunk cross-sectional area increased by 0.86 cm2 in the first year, 1.77 cm2 in the second year, and 1.31 cm2 on average. The number of shoots per tree rose by 2.77 (2022), 3.07 (2023), and 2.92 on average. Total shoot length increased by 183.5 cm (2022), 358.6 cm (2023), and 271.0 cm on average. The mean shoot length grew by 12.62 cm (2023) and 10.05 cm on average. No significant differences were observed between the two rootstocks. These results emphasize the benefits of localized irrigation in improving plum tree growth, while land shaping and rootstock selection had no notable impact.
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