Early performance of Australian multi-cultivar density optimisation trial

Australian almond growers seek to achieve the improved production efficiencies offered by high density plantings without forfeiting their traditional operational practices and machinery.
The optimum within-row planting density for traditionally trained, free-standing orchards is yet to be defined for industry relevant cultivars grown in Australia.
In 2018, a 5 ha experiment was established in the South Australian Riverland to test the performance of four almond cultivars grown across a six-step density transition ranging from 308 to 615 trees ha^-1. Early yield assessments suggest cultivars respond differently to planting density. ‘Nonpareil’ showed the strongest response with cumulative kernel yields from fifth leaf trees being 45% greater at the highest density (7.5 t ha^-1) compared to the lowest density plantings (5.2 t ha^-1). Cumulative yields from fifth leaf ‘Vela’ (10 t ha^-1) and ‘Carina’ (8 t ha^-1) showed a 10% improvement that peaked at 440 trees ha^-1. ‘Shasta’ showed the weakest density response with similar cumulative yields (7.1 t ha^-1) across all spacings.
The incidence of kernel quality defects varied with cultivar but was not significantly impacted by planting density.

VIII International Symposium on Almonds and Pistachios

T. Pitt, D. Thomas, M. Skewes, N. Fleming, D. Graetz, K. Shanmugam, V. Phogat, P. Petrie

almond, cultivar, yield, kernel, quality, resource, efficiency

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2024.1406.28