Evaluation of Leaf Properties of Eight Cherry Cultivars Grafted onto Maxma 14 Rootstock

Abstract

The study was conducted in order to assess the leaf properties of different sweet cherry varieties grafted onto MaxMa 14 rootstock. The experiment was arranged in a randomized plot desing with three replicates of five plants per replication. The soil analyses showed that the soil properties of experiment site were found as moderate alkaline, low amount of organic material, N, P, Zn and Mn. The soil characteristics may be sub-optimum for cherry growing. According to our results, Kordia had the highest SPAD value (37.86) among the cultivars. Samba, Regina, Kordia and 0900 Ziraat cultivars had the highest anthocyanin contents. The highest stomatal conductance was in 0900 Ziraat cv followed by Sweetheart. Samba had greater leaf area (53.25 cm2) compared to other cultivars. The highest LRWC was obtained with Lorry Bloom. Epicuticular was content of Regina leaves was higher among the cultivars. The results of the present study provide useful informations about how the cherry scions grafted onto MaxMa 14 response to environmental challenges in nature. The identified leaf properties are valuable targets for physiological studies related with environmental stresses.