Articles
Optimization of fruit tree propagation techniques and agronomical performances in the nursery
Article number
1413_21
Pages
165 – 184
Language
English
Abstract
Nursery is one of the fruit industry’s most innovative sectors.
It is now possible to purchase specific tree types optimally suited for training systems, which can simplify and expedite planting operations and help to achieve early production.
Purchasing multi-leader trees from the nursery reduces the unproductive time in the orchard.
Several types of trees can be produced: nurseries can provide chip-budded trees requiring a two-year cycle, ‘knip’ trees produced with 1-year-old June buds on a two-year cycle, and bench-grafted trees on a 1-year cycle.
These traditional types of trees can be trained as a spindle system.
The innovative ‘bi-axis’ system is established with nursery-formed, split-branch trees designed to create a fruit wall (2-D canopy) that can achieve earlier production.
New approaches to plant growth regulation in the nursery present alternative ways to induce sylleptic shoot formation.
Potted bi-member trees obtained with mini-grafting or self-rooted scions are commonly used for stone fruit species, kiwi, and olives in long-season climatic conditions.
Rootstocks and self-rooted varieties of several fruit species are increasingly multiplied in vitro due to the low root formation capacity when propagating by other more traditional techniques (e.g., stooling, layering). For this reason, many new apple and pear rootstocks require in vitro propagation instead of layering.
In vitro propagation can induce partial rejuvenation, which can be advantageous for increasing root formation but also detrimental because it can increase vigor compared to traditional propagation techniques.
Mechanization, from planting to harvest, of all agronomical operations is the ultimate goal for future orchard design.
Effective training systems must be realized to enable mechanization by adopting the most efficient and compatible tree types propagated in the nursery.
It is now possible to purchase specific tree types optimally suited for training systems, which can simplify and expedite planting operations and help to achieve early production.
Purchasing multi-leader trees from the nursery reduces the unproductive time in the orchard.
Several types of trees can be produced: nurseries can provide chip-budded trees requiring a two-year cycle, ‘knip’ trees produced with 1-year-old June buds on a two-year cycle, and bench-grafted trees on a 1-year cycle.
These traditional types of trees can be trained as a spindle system.
The innovative ‘bi-axis’ system is established with nursery-formed, split-branch trees designed to create a fruit wall (2-D canopy) that can achieve earlier production.
New approaches to plant growth regulation in the nursery present alternative ways to induce sylleptic shoot formation.
Potted bi-member trees obtained with mini-grafting or self-rooted scions are commonly used for stone fruit species, kiwi, and olives in long-season climatic conditions.
Rootstocks and self-rooted varieties of several fruit species are increasingly multiplied in vitro due to the low root formation capacity when propagating by other more traditional techniques (e.g., stooling, layering). For this reason, many new apple and pear rootstocks require in vitro propagation instead of layering.
In vitro propagation can induce partial rejuvenation, which can be advantageous for increasing root formation but also detrimental because it can increase vigor compared to traditional propagation techniques.
Mechanization, from planting to harvest, of all agronomical operations is the ultimate goal for future orchard design.
Effective training systems must be realized to enable mechanization by adopting the most efficient and compatible tree types propagated in the nursery.
Authors
S. Musacchi
Keywords
rootstocks, grafting, budding, plant growth regulator (PGR), short budding cycles, in vitro, mini-scions in pots
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