Türk Tarım ve Doğa Bilimleri Dergisi

Öz

The aim of the study is to determine the effect of root restriction on vegetative growth, phenological characteristics, yield and fruit quality in loquats. ‘Hafif Çukurgöbek' loquat trees grafted on seedling were planted within root restrictive plastic pots buried in the soil and compared with trees planted without pots. Vegetative growth, flowering periods, inflorescence characteristics and fruit set rates of these trees were investigated. In addition, yields per tree, per unit trunk cross-sectional area and per unit area, and pomological characteristics of fruits were determined according to the applications. Although the flowering stages of the cultivar differed partially according to the applications, it was completed in the period between December 5 and February 10. The first flowering was took place on 5 December in the root restriction application and on 9 December in the control. The full bloom and the end of flowering phases occurred on January 18 and February 5, respectively, in root restraint application, and on January 29 and February 10, respectively, in control. Root restriction had no effect on the maturity period of the fruits. While there was no significant difference between the applications in terms of the length of the inflorescence and the number of panicle in the cluster; Statistically significant differences were determined between the treatments in terms of the numbers of flower buds, blooming flowers and inital fruit set in the cluster. Applications were not significant effect on the number of the small fruit and the number of fruits harvested in the cluster. In terms of annual shoot length, scion and rootstock diameter, and other vegetative parameters, lower values were obtained in root-restricted plants compared to the control. In terms of annual shoot length, scion and rootstock diameter and other vegetative parameters, lower values were obtained in plants with restricted root growth compared to the control plants. In trees with restricted root growth, yield per plant and yield per unit area were lower, while yield per trunk cross-sectional area was higher than the control. In terms of fruit weight, fruit size and seed weight, higher values were obtained from root-restricted plants compared to control plants. There was no significant difference between the applications in terms of other fruit characteristics. As a result, it was determined that root restriction reduces vegetative growth in loquat trees.