DYNAMICS OF FRUIT WEIGHT, MESOCARP SIZE AND CELLULAR MORPHOLOGICAL DYNAMICS IN 12 GRAFTING SWEET CHERRY (PRUNUS AVIUM L.) CULTIVARS IN ONE YEAR

Rootstock and scion have significant effects on fruit production in sweet cherry, but their interplay has not been fully detected for the cellular mechanism at different fruiting stages. In this study, three sweet cherry scions of 'Lapins', '8-102' and 'Rainier' were planted with four rootstocks of 'Mahaleb', 'Dwarf', 'ZY-1', and 'Latin'resulting in 12 combined cultivars. Fruits were sampled at four growing stages. On 28 May, 2015 parameters of fruit weight, length, and diameter were greatest in trees with combined scion of '8-102' X rootstock of 'ZY-1', followed by the combination of '8-102' `Dwarf'. On 24 June, 2015 fruit cell number was found to have a positive correlation with fruit length and weight. In conclusion, scions of '8-102' and 'Rainier' is recommended for grafting on rootstock of 'Latin' for desired mature fruit quality through abundant mesocarp cell division.