Effect assessment of crown formation and varieties on ap-ple trees biological characteristics

The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of various apple tree pruning methods on their biological properties and to identify promising crown formation systems for domestically bred varieties. Research was conducted in 2021–2023 in the Prikuban horticultural zone of the Krasnodar Region. The objects of study were the Orfej and Margo apple varieties. The subject of the study was the effect of pruning intensity on apple tree productivity and fruit quality. The experimental design included “Russian Spindle” (k), “Russian Spindle” with summer green operations, and modified “Russian Spindle (extended pruning)”. The modified “Russian Spindle (extended pruning) and green operations” had a positive effect on fruit set in the Orfej and Margo apple varieties. The highest number of fruits set was in the “Russian Spindle” variant with extended formation (Orfej – 125 fruits, Margo – 178 fruits). New pruning methods have increased fruit load and average fruit weight. The average yield for the Orfej variety with extended pruning was 8.9 t/ha, while for the Margo variety it was 11.8 t/ha. The yield of the Orfej variety with green pruning was 7.9 t/ha, while that of the Margo variety was 10.7 t/ha. The modified “Russian Spindle pruning” (extended pruning) in intensive orchards contributed to increased yields and productivity, as well as an increase in average fruit weight and standardization. The “Russian Spindle” pruning variant with green pruning had the greatest impact on the renewal of vegetative parts of the tree and their development. The “Russian Spindle” pruning with green pruning and the modified Russian Spindle pruning (extended pruning) are recommended as promising crown training methods for the domestic apple varieties Orfej and Margo.