Drought resistance and its influence on flower formation in sweet cherry

Nikolay Christov, Simeon Krumov

Abstract: The results from studies on drought tolerance, flower formation and fruitfulness in perspective cherry elites have been shown. Studies were carried out in the region of Kyustendil, Bulgaria in 2011 – 2012. The growing season in 2011 was characterized by long periods of drought and high average of air temperatures. The year was with record low rainfall – 320 mm. The hydrothermal coefficient for VI – IX month was 0.6 which characterized the period as very dry. It was established the relative stability of the studied elites to drought expressed by leaf water potential (LWP). In the agro climatic conditions of 2011 the elites P15R3D9 (-24.1 bar), 32/25 (-24.3 bar), 5750 (-24.16 bar) were with moderate water stress. The elites № 5752, 1890, 5938, 6400 and 6387 were characterized by high level of water stress. It was found that the highest percentage flower germs were formed in elite № 5750 (78.8%),which corresponds to the established higher drought tolerance in 2011. The average yield per tree was relatively highest in the elite with moderate water stress.

Keywords: cherry; drought resistance; stress; flower formation

Date published: 2017-08-09