Influence of Water Stress through Root Pruning on Tree Growth and Fruit Quality in 'Fuji'/M.9 Apple Tree at Full Bloom

Abstract

This study was conducted to find out the influence of water stress from May to June on photosynthesis, shoot growth and fruit quality of apple trees. Fuji'/M.9 apple trees were root pruned at full bloom (30th April), parallel to the row of 30 cm or 60 cm from the trunk, to one side or both sides of trunk. The average value of afternoon leaf water potential from May to June of the no root pruning was maintained over -1.80 MPa, but that of root-pruning treatments was maintained under -1.80 MPa. In the comparison of average value of leaf water potential from May to June by root-pruning degree, the root pruning both sides at 30 cm from trunk was lowest (-2.06 MPa), followed by the root pruning both sides at 60 cm (-2.02 MPa) and the root pruning one side at 30 cm (-1.91 MPa). Root pruning one side at 30 cm or both sides at 60 cm reduced photosynthetic rate from May to June by 80% or 65%, respectively, compared with no root pruning. So, the degree of decreasing total shoot length or average fruit weight compare to the no root pruning of the root pruning one side at 30 cm was 25% or 11%, respectively, and those of the root pruning both sides at 30 cm was 45% or 15%, respectively. However, the soluble solid content and fruit color of the root pruning was higher than those of the no root pruning, and those of the root pruning both sides was higher than root pruning one side. These results indicate that the fruit enlargement was decreased when the average value of average leaf water potential from May to June was under -1.80 MPa, and the shoot growth was decreased when that was under -2.00 MPa.