Impact of Rootstocks on Growth, Yield and Fruit Quality of Sweet Cherries (Prunus avium L.) cv. 'Regina' and 'Kordia' in a replanted cherry orchard in Eastern Austria

In a 7 year field trial (2006-2012) in the research orchard of the University in Vienna the influence of five different dwarfing ('Gisela 5', 'Piku 1' and 'PHL-C') and semi-dwarfing ('Gisela 6' and 'Weiroot 158') rootstocks on growth and yield of the sweet cherry cultivars 'Kordia' and 'Regina' were investigated, and from 2010-2012 also the internal and external fruit quality was assessed. The trees grafted on 'Gisela 6' showed the strongest vigor and the highest single tree yield. 'Weiroot 158' and 'PHL-C' were growing more than 'Gisela 5' and 'Piku 1' and had nearly the same single tree yield; therefore, they were lower in the specific yield. 'Gisela 5' and 'Piku 1' had the highest specific yield, however, 'Piku 1' also in 2 years a lower single fruit weight than other rootstocks. There were only marginal differences in the fruit quality characteristics. Summarizing our results, 'Gisela 5' can be recommended as dwarfing rootstock also in a replanting orchard for our conditions. If the soil and growing conditions are more challenging, 'Gisela 6' could be more suitable than the compared to 'Gisela 5' tested more vigorous growing rootstocks 'Weiroot 158' und 'PHL-C'.