Early-stage growth performance of apple trees under different biochar application methods in mineral and organic fertilisation regimes

An one-year field trial was performed in a young apple orchard of the ‘Gala Brookfield Baigent’ cultivar grafted onto dwarfing P 60 rootstock. Three methods of biochar application, i.e. plough incorporation, planting-hole application and surface spreading, each in combination with compost or mineral nitrogen fertilisation, were tested against the fertilisers applied singly and an untreated control. This gave a total of nine treatments, each represented by three replicates arranged in a completely randomised design. A single replicate consisted of four contiguous trees growing in a row.The following basic parameters related to tree growth and fruiting potential were assessed: (i.) trunk circumference; (ii.) total length of current-year shoots; (iii.) number of long shoots; (iv.) number of short shoots; (v.) number of mixed-type buds; (vi.) leaf area, and (vii.) leaf dry matter. The measurements i.–v. were taken during the dormancy period following the first year of tree growth in the orchard. Trunk circumference was measured at a height of 30 cm above the grafting site. Shoots shorter than 20 cm were considered short shoots, while longer ones were considered long shoots. Leaf sampling (measurements vi.–vii.) was carried out during the growing season.The attached data is organised in a long format with column headings explaining their content. Individual parameters are presented in separate files. The file names indicate the names of the particular parameters assessed.