The influence of different rootstocks and planting systems on several apricot cultivars' growth in the bucharest area

This study presents the growth and fruiting parameters of some new apricot varieties cultivated in Bucharest. The research was conducted on 28 apricot cultivars (Prunus armeniaca L.) in the Experimental Field of the Faculty of Horticulture, USAMV of Bucharest. Myrobalan 29C (M29C), Saint Julien A (SJA), and Grande Ferrade 677 (GF677) rootstocks were used, with two different planting systems, Parallel-U and Trident. The biometric parameters included trunk cross-sectional area (SST), axis cross-sectional area (SSB), canopy volume, and the total number and length of annual shoots under their influence. Generally, the cultivars grafted on M29C rootstock increase more vigor than those grafted on GF677 and Saint Julien A, regardless of the system planting. The use of the Parallel-U system compared to Trident involved the development of the SSB, with higher values in some studied cultivars. Depending on the purpose of growing the plants and the climatic conditions of the cultivation area, it is good to use rootstocks and the corresponding cultivation system to obtain the best performance of the cultivars used.