New Planting Systems to increase Apple Orchard Profitability: Prelimenary results

DOLORES RAFFO; MARIELA CURETTI; GABRIELA CALVO; ANDREA CASTRO

Wenatchee

Simposio; XII International Symposium on Integrating Canopy, Rootstock and Environmental Physiology in Orchard Systems; 2021

ISHS

Apples and pears are the main fruit production of the north Patagonian valleys. A large number of training systems suitable to be mechanized (pruning, thinning, use of platforms), are used in different fruit growing areas, according to improve yield and precocity. As results depend on environmental conditions, local studies are needed to compare the performance of different training systems in our local conditions. The aim of the study was to compare four training systems: central axe (CA), 4 axes obtained by headed back at plantation time (4A-C), and 2 axes (2A-B) and multi-leaders (ML) obtained by bending trees, in `Washington Spur´, `Brookfield´ and `Rosy Glow´ apple trees. The plot was planted in an orchard located in Rio Negro, Argentina in June of 2016 at 3.5 m row space, and different distances between trees according to the variety rootstock combinations (0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2 m). Light interception, yield as well as fruit size and maturity indexes were recorded on each cultivar. Efficiency of the use of labor was assessed in pruning, thinning, training and harvest. In 2018-19 season, the highest yield was observed in central axe at 1.0 m (2857 plants ha-1) in `Brookfield´/EM9 and ´Rosy Glow´/EM9 (16.3 and 23.7 t ha-1 respectively), and at 0.5 m (5714 plants ha-1) in `Washington Spur´/MI793 (15.7 t ha-1). Interestingly, bending trees to obtain more than one axis reduced production only in `Brookfield´. As expected, heading back the trees at the time of planting delayed production in all cultivars.