Root System Distribution of Sweet Cherry Trees Grafted on Vigorous Rootstock in Molic Eutricambosoil in Northern Transylvania

Abstract

The type of the root system development of different species and cultivars gives valuable information for choosing of proper rootstock/scion combinations in different soils and soil horizons, the establishment of active rhizosphere where the input nutrition can give maximum results. Researches showed that cherry grafted on a vigorous rootstock in molic eutricambosoil develops a root system which is mainly horizontally spread (88-90°), in some rare cases with angles of 45°, with 5-7 strong V order roots (>80 mm) which provides good anchorage for trees. To the periphery the roots reached up to 6.5-8.5 m in the old trees and 3.5 m in the young trees. The depth of the root system achieved 2.0-2.5 m in the old trees and 1.0-1.5 m in the young trees. The highest quantity of roots were observed between 18-60 cm depth in both young and old trees.