REALIZATION OF GENETIC POTENTIAL AND DURATION OF THE PRODUCTION PHASE OF APPLE TREE VARIETIES IN INTENSIVE PLANTATIONS

Studies to determine the realization of the genetic potential and the duration of the productive phase of apple Alesya and Vesyalina varieties on two clonal rootstocks of different intensity of growth with two tree placement pattern were carried out in 2008–2021 in the garden of the Department of Fruit Growing Technology of RUE “Institute of Fruit Growing”, planted in the spring of 2006 with one-year-old seedlings. The productivity potential is more fully revealed in the variety Alesya on a dwarf rootstock 62-396 with a planting pattern of 4.0 × 1.5 m, in the variety Vesyalina on a semi-dwarf rootstock 54–118 with a planting pattern of 4.0 × 2.0 m. Relatively high productivity rate of the Alesya variety was also noted on the semi-dwarf rootstock 54–118 with a planting pattern of 4.0 × 2.0 m. We recommend these designs of apple plantations for laying and growing intensive orchards in the Republic of Belarus. The standard lifespan of apple plantations on a semi-dwarf (medium) rootstock can be reduced to 12 years, as well as for apple plantations on a dwarf rootstock. Fast depreciation with high yields allows for a faster replacement of orchards, and therefore varieties and methods of agricultural practices.