Tree, fruit size and yield of 'Bing' sweet cherry as influenced by rootstock, replant area, and training system

The effects of cherry rootstock and training system on tree size, fruit size and yield were investigated during the first 5 years after planting in two separate trials, In Trial 1, rootstocks from the Giessen (Gi) selections Gisela 6, 7, and 12, and Gi 154-7, the Grand-Manil selection Damil, mazzard seedling and a mazzard X mahaleb clonal selection (Brooks 60) were compared using two training systems when half of the trees were planted in areas previously occupied by sweet cherry trees or in the grassed alleyways. Trees were trained either to an open vase or to a central leader, In Trial 2, the same rootstocks plus Gisela 5 and 8 were observed over the same time period when trained to the open vase system where the replant treatment was cherries after apples. Interactions were found between rootstock and training system for yield, yield efficiency, and crop value (dollar value based on yield and cost differentials for fruit size) (Trial 1) and rootstock and replant area for yield, yield efficiency (third cropping year only) and crop value for Trial 2 only. In both trials, trees on the Gi selections had greater yields as compared with mazzard, Damil or Brooks 60. In both trials, trees planted in areas previously planted in either sweet cherries (Trial 1) or apples (Trial 2) were smaller in trunk cross sectional areas after five growing seasons then trees planted in the previous planting's grassed alleyway area.