Dissertation
APPLE SHOOT GROWTH DYNAMICS AND BRANCHING PATTERNS IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST: ANALYSIS AND MODELING TO UNDERSTAND AND PREDICT TOPOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Washington State University
01/2020
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/111725
Abstract
An accurate understanding of tree architecture such as shoot growth and branching development is essential to formulate effective orchard management strategies for obtaining a desired balance between vegetative and reproductive growth. Although shoot growth and branching patterns have been studied for many fruit trees, the effect of many factors, such as pruning and rootstock, on shoot growth dynamics and how shoot growth dynamics affect branching patterns is still not fully understood. The overall goal of this study was to analyze the shoot growth dynamics of apple tree and to evaluate the performance of the MAppleT model for predicting architectural development in the Pacific Northwest. The research was conducted in high density commercial apple orchards located in eastern Washington, USA. Dynamic shoot growth and branching data were collected over two years for the apple cultivar 'Fuji'. Results showed that shoot extension was affected by pruning and rootstock from the beginning of the growing season. A higher initial growth rate resulted in a longer growth duration and higher probability for polycyclic growth, resulting in a longer shoot length. A longer growth duration and polycyclism increased the complexity of branching patterns. An early and late growth period modulated the axillary bud neoformation capacity for the following Spring. Finally, topological data, including terminal growth and branching sequences, were used to calibrate and evaluate the performance of MappleT model for simulating tree architecture in apple orchards in the Pacific Northwest. Following calibration, the MAppleT model was able to provide a good prediction for the proportion of different lateral types. Future work will improve upon calibration parameters for dynamic shoot growth in the MAppleT model.
Metrics
18 File views/ downloads
23 Record Views
Details
- Title
- APPLE SHOOT GROWTH DYNAMICS AND BRANCHING PATTERNS IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST: ANALYSIS AND MODELING TO UNDERSTAND AND PREDICT TOPOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT
- Creators
- Ying-Tsui Wang
- Contributors
- Gerrit Hoogenboom (Advisor)Claudio O. Stöckle (Advisor)Stefano Musacchi (Committee Member)Melba R. Salazar-Gutierrez (Committee Member)Evelyne Costes (Committee Member)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Biological Systems Engineering, Department of
- Theses and Dissertations
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Washington State University
- Number of pages
- 180
- Identifiers
- 99900581809001842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Dissertation