The Growth Promotion Effect by Applying Sand to the Underground Part of Apple Nursery Tree Grafted on JM Rootstock

Abstract

We investigated the effect of application of river sand to the underground parts on the initial growth of apple tree grafted on JM dwarfing rootstock. One year after planting, the height of ‘Kiou’ apple trees grafted on JM7 rootstock was higher with the application of river sand compared with trees grown without the application. In addition, the dry mass as well as the length and number of branches of two-year-old ‘Fuji’ nursery trees grafted on JM1 rootstock increased after river sand application. The results of this study demonstrate that the application of river sand to the underground parts of nursery trees promotes growth. This technique can be used for the production of robust apple nursery trees.