Articles
Training systems for a super high-density almond orchard with ‘Soleta’ and ‘Lauranne’ cultivars
Article number
1457_11
Pages
85 – 92
Language
English
Abstract
The increase in almond consumption, the development of novel rootstocks and self-fertile cultivars, and the establishment of plantations in newly irrigated areas have led to significant advances in almond cultivation techniques.
One of the most important progresses has been the increase in planting density, leading to the development of a new productive model, the super-intensive.
In this model, the plants are trained in a hedge system through mechanical pruning, enabling over-row harvesting with a straddle machine.
However, achieving an efficient and productive system is challenging.
One of them involves pruning and training operations, as well as the selection of cultivars best adapted to the hedge cultivation system and labor mechanization.
In this perspective, the objective of this 5-year research study was to compare the agronomic behavior of almond cultivars ‘Soleta’ and ‘Lauranne’ grafted onto ‘Rootpac 20’ dwarfing rootstock and planted in a super-intensive system, when trained in a vertical axis, three-axis palmette, and hedge systems.
The trunk section area, the firewood removed from green and winter pruning, and orchard productivity were evaluated, as were the almond quality parameters.
The results indicate that the trunk section was affected by the training systems, as well as the firewood from pruning, with higher values in the vertical axis system, especially for ‘Lauranne’. This cultivar achieved the highest fruit yield in the three-axis palmette than in the vertical-axis or hedge training systems.
At the same time, ‘Soleta’ trees showed greater yield efficiency in the vertical axis system.
The training system did not affect the almond quality parameters, except for the kernel yield of the ‘Soleta’ almonds.
The results suggest that the training system affects the productive behavior of almond trees under a super-intensive model, with variation depending on cultivar.
One of the most important progresses has been the increase in planting density, leading to the development of a new productive model, the super-intensive.
In this model, the plants are trained in a hedge system through mechanical pruning, enabling over-row harvesting with a straddle machine.
However, achieving an efficient and productive system is challenging.
One of them involves pruning and training operations, as well as the selection of cultivars best adapted to the hedge cultivation system and labor mechanization.
In this perspective, the objective of this 5-year research study was to compare the agronomic behavior of almond cultivars ‘Soleta’ and ‘Lauranne’ grafted onto ‘Rootpac 20’ dwarfing rootstock and planted in a super-intensive system, when trained in a vertical axis, three-axis palmette, and hedge systems.
The trunk section area, the firewood removed from green and winter pruning, and orchard productivity were evaluated, as were the almond quality parameters.
The results indicate that the trunk section was affected by the training systems, as well as the firewood from pruning, with higher values in the vertical axis system, especially for ‘Lauranne’. This cultivar achieved the highest fruit yield in the three-axis palmette than in the vertical-axis or hedge training systems.
At the same time, ‘Soleta’ trees showed greater yield efficiency in the vertical axis system.
The training system did not affect the almond quality parameters, except for the kernel yield of the ‘Soleta’ almonds.
The results suggest that the training system affects the productive behavior of almond trees under a super-intensive model, with variation depending on cultivar.
Publication
Authors
F. Queirós, R. de Sousa
Keywords
intensification, pruning, mechanical harvesting, tree vigor, productivity, quality parameters
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