Articles
Using the semi-dwarfing rootstock ‘Controller 9’ to develop a pedestrian orchard for Prunus persica
Article number
1177_14
Pages
117 – 120
Language
English
Abstract
In 2008, a trial was initiated at the University of California Kearney Agricultural Center to compare a standard height nectarine orchard to a ladderless pedestrian orchard.
Nemaguard and Controller 9 rootstock were planted in May 2008 and grafted in January 2009 to the early nectarine ‘Zee Fire’. Nemaguard is the standard rootstock used in the California fresh-peach industry and Controller 9 provides about 90% the vigor of Nemaguard.
Trees were grown in either a 6 leader Hex-V configuration spaced at 3.7×5.3 m with a density of 561 trees ha-1, or as a 4 leader Quad-V at 2.1×4.3 m with a density of 1100 trees ha-1, and were maintained at a conventional height of ~3.7 m or a pedestrian height of 1.8-2 m.
Four systems were studied: 1) conventional Nemaguard/Hex-V; 2) pedestrian Nemaguard/Hex-V; 3) pedestrian Controller 9/Hex-V; and 4) pedestrian Controller 9/Quad-V. The trees produced commercial yields beginning in 2010. The pedestrian C-9/Quad trees had the greatest yield, crop load, and fruit size in the first three harvest years; significantly outperforming the tall, high-vigor, conventional treatment.
The other two pedestrian height treatments performed similar to the conventional treatment.
A spring frost occurred in 2013, reducing crop loads in all treatments but affecting short trees the most.
Nemaguard and Controller 9 rootstock were planted in May 2008 and grafted in January 2009 to the early nectarine ‘Zee Fire’. Nemaguard is the standard rootstock used in the California fresh-peach industry and Controller 9 provides about 90% the vigor of Nemaguard.
Trees were grown in either a 6 leader Hex-V configuration spaced at 3.7×5.3 m with a density of 561 trees ha-1, or as a 4 leader Quad-V at 2.1×4.3 m with a density of 1100 trees ha-1, and were maintained at a conventional height of ~3.7 m or a pedestrian height of 1.8-2 m.
Four systems were studied: 1) conventional Nemaguard/Hex-V; 2) pedestrian Nemaguard/Hex-V; 3) pedestrian Controller 9/Hex-V; and 4) pedestrian Controller 9/Quad-V. The trees produced commercial yields beginning in 2010. The pedestrian C-9/Quad trees had the greatest yield, crop load, and fruit size in the first three harvest years; significantly outperforming the tall, high-vigor, conventional treatment.
The other two pedestrian height treatments performed similar to the conventional treatment.
A spring frost occurred in 2013, reducing crop loads in all treatments but affecting short trees the most.
Publication
Authors
K.R. Day, R.S. Johnson, R.C. Phene, T.M. DeJong
Keywords
high density, pruning, crop load, tree height, ladder
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