Effect of Soil Fumigation on the Early Growth and Production of ‘Delicious’ Apple Trees1

Apple trees ( Malus domestica Borkh.) grown in soil fumigated with methyl bromide showed a significant increase in growth as measured by trunk circumference. The increase in trunk circumference from fumigation varied from 33 to 49% after 6 to 8 years. Fruit production increased from 2- to 4-fold during the same period. Soil pH, soil arsenic and nematode counts were not considered to be major factors in the lack of growth and fruit production for trees grown in unfumigated soil.