Some cultural techniques were applied to produce ‘Fuji’/M.9 nursery apple trees (Malus domestica) with well developed lateral shoots with or without the aid of Promalin at an experimental field in Cheongwon, Korea from March, 2005 to October, 2007...
Some cultural techniques were applied to produce ‘Fuji’/M.9 nursery apple trees (Malus domestica) with well developed lateral shoots with or without the aid of Promalin at an experimental field in Cheongwon, Korea from March, 2005 to October, 2007. Lateral shoot development was increased by some cultural techniques such as proper planting density, notching, and removal of the leaves on shoot tip, which results were improved by Promalin spraying. Appropriate comprehension on tree physiology removed the aid of Promalin spraying for lateral shoot development in ‘Fuji’/M.9 nursery apple trees. Trees on high density with double row produced the same level of lateral shoots (7.9 shoots) as those on low density with single row (7.8 shoots) whereas trees on high density with single row output fewer lateral shoots (6.9 shoots). In notching, the practice with thick gap slightly improved lateral shoot development but the application with thin gap brought out noticeable increase as showing another 10% development. In leaf tearing-off, the more frequent application led to more amounts of lateral shoot development as recording around 18 shoots by 5-time application. While lateral shoot development was hardly increased by leaf cutting-off regardless of its severities, the development was quite improved by Promalin spraying. The combined application of Promalin spraying with a half leaf cutting-off gave another 15% improvement. A half leaf cutting-off resulted in higher results in lateral shoot development by the application for the 2nd to the 6th leaves (80-100%) than the practice for the 2nd to the 3rd leaves (20-40%) from shoot tip. Complete removal for the 2nd to 6th leaves from shoot tip made the highest result in lateral shoot development without Promalin spraying.