Features of tree formation in intensive apple plantations

Abstract

Depending on the age of the orchard and the vigour of the trees, formative pruning and pruning to regulate fruiting and growth are introduced. Crown shaping is usually completed in the third or fourth year after planting, and regulatory pruning is carried out after the completion of the formative pruning and continues throughout the entire life of the plantation. In horticulture, there are two main pruning methods: thinning (cutting) and shortening. They are combined with auxiliary techniques such as adjusting the angles of the bending shoots, ringing branches, etc. Depending on the age and condition of the trees, pruning is carried out by thinning the crown and shortening annual shoots [6-8]. Numerous studies and international best practices have developed progressive methods of pruning crowns of intensive apple plantations, and established the timing of pruning of various variety-rootstock combinations. However, this agricultural measure requires further detailed study for specific types of apple plantations in different soil and climatic conditions.