Articles
High-density production systems in almond orchards
Article number
1406_26
Pages
171 – 178
Language
English
Abstract
Traditional almond orchards in Spain are located primarily in rainfed conditions and poor soils, severely pruned to a classic open vase, and planted at low density.
This orchard type is adapted to the use of upside-down umbrella shakers.
Currently, crop conditions are evolving rapidly, with new irrigation areas and new plant material, which prompted the need for production systems with different orchard designs, training systems, and different harvesting methods.
High-density systems can be established to obtain early bearing and high yields using continuous mechanical harvesting systems.
The agronomic and productive performance of two almond cultivars, ‘Vairo’ and ‘Marinada’, were evaluated in several production systems with different training systems and planting distances in Les Borges Blanques (Lleida, Spain). TCSA, canopy volume, productivity and nut quality parameters were affected by the cultivar and the production system.
The tree growth (trunk and canopy) is inversely correlated with the number of trees per hectare.
The central axis systems were very hand-labor-dependent, but they presented very early bearing productions, with 1,000-1,500 kg of kernel yield per hectare in the second year and more than 3,000 kg in the seventh year.
However, the open vase with minimal pruning had the higher cumulative production.
This orchard type is adapted to the use of upside-down umbrella shakers.
Currently, crop conditions are evolving rapidly, with new irrigation areas and new plant material, which prompted the need for production systems with different orchard designs, training systems, and different harvesting methods.
High-density systems can be established to obtain early bearing and high yields using continuous mechanical harvesting systems.
The agronomic and productive performance of two almond cultivars, ‘Vairo’ and ‘Marinada’, were evaluated in several production systems with different training systems and planting distances in Les Borges Blanques (Lleida, Spain). TCSA, canopy volume, productivity and nut quality parameters were affected by the cultivar and the production system.
The tree growth (trunk and canopy) is inversely correlated with the number of trees per hectare.
The central axis systems were very hand-labor-dependent, but they presented very early bearing productions, with 1,000-1,500 kg of kernel yield per hectare in the second year and more than 3,000 kg in the seventh year.
However, the open vase with minimal pruning had the higher cumulative production.
Authors
X. Miarnau, J. Lordan, L. Torguet, R. Girabet, R. Montserrat, I. Batlle, F. Vargas, S. Alegre
Keywords
Prunus dulcis, tree spacing, training, bearing, yield efficiency
Groups involved
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