For the intensive planting system production of apple fruit orchard, the ideal tree is one that does not grow too vigorously, presents early and constant bearing, and is able to produce high quality fruits. Our experiment was to assess eighteen rootstocks of different origin and vigour for ‘Elise’ planted in the “V” system. The field experiment was established in 2000, in the experimental orchard of the Department of Pomology, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Wilanów. The influence of eighteen rootstocks on orchard performance of ‘Elise’ apple trees was investigated in the years 2000–2009. Different rootstocks were classified into three groups depending on expected tree vigour: superdwarfing (M.27, P 16, PB 4), dwarfing (B 9, B 146, P 2, P 59 and seven subclones of M.9: EMLA, Burgmer 984, Burgmer 751, T 339, Pajam 1, Pajam 2, RN 29), and semi-dwarfing (P 14, M.26, P 60, B 396). Trees on rootstocks assumed as superdwarfing were spaced at a distance of 3.2 × 0.5 m, on dwarfing at 3.5 × 0.7 m and on semi-dwarfing at 3.8 × 1.0 m. The smallest trunk cross-sectional area (TCSA) after 10 years, as well as the increase of TCSA for 2000–2009 among superdwarfing rootstocks was on PB 4, whereas among dwarfing rootstocks was on P 59. Among trees on semi-dwarfing rootstocks the highest TCSA as well as the increase of TCSA was on P 14. The highest cumulative yield per tree among superdwarfing rootstocks (2001–2009) was obtained on P 16, whereas the lowest on PB 4. On rootstocks considered as dwarfing, the lowest cumulative yield was observed on P 59, and the highest on M.9 751. The highest cropping efficiency coefficient (CEC) on super-dwarfing rootstocks was observed on P 16, on dwarfing rootstock on P 59 and on semi-dwarfing rootstock on P 60 and B 396.

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