Articles
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT OF TEMPERATE FRUITS IN SUBTROPICAL AUSTRALIA
Article number
441_14
Pages
115 – 124
Language
Abstract
The production of temperate fruits in subtropical regions of Australia has expanded rapidly in the past 10 years.
Over 800 000 low-chill stone fruit, mainly peaches and nectarines, and to a lesser extent plums, have been planted in subtropical regions of Australia.
Another temperate fruit gaining greater importance, because of its potential as an export fruit, is non-astringent persimmon.
Over 200 000 trees of this fruit species have been planted to date.
Management strategies for growing low-chill temperate fruits in subtropical climates are still being developed.
Due to differences in phenology and physiology, management requirements used for high-chill cultivars grown in colder climates need to be modified for low-chill cultivars grown in subtropical climates.
There has been a general improvement in tree productivity as growers experience with managing these fruits in non-traditional production areas increases.
Recent surveys have established productivity benchmarks for low-chill stone ruit.
Yields of very low-chill peach cultivars with short fruit development periods (80–90 days) such as Flordaprince can reach 27 t/ha.
For cultivars with longer fruit development periods (100 – 120 days), such as Flordagold, yields may be as high as 51 t/ha.
The trend is to plant trees at higher densities (1200–1800 trees/ha) and train these trees to a palmette system because of its ease of management.
A small number of high-density orchards are using trees propagated from soft-wood cuttings rather than the more conventional, grafted trees.
With higher density plantings the use of the growth retardant paclobutrazol and/or sequential summer prunings, to control tree vigour, is essential to prevent excessive shading and subsequent loss of productivity.
Over 800 000 low-chill stone fruit, mainly peaches and nectarines, and to a lesser extent plums, have been planted in subtropical regions of Australia.
Another temperate fruit gaining greater importance, because of its potential as an export fruit, is non-astringent persimmon.
Over 200 000 trees of this fruit species have been planted to date.
Management strategies for growing low-chill temperate fruits in subtropical climates are still being developed.
Due to differences in phenology and physiology, management requirements used for high-chill cultivars grown in colder climates need to be modified for low-chill cultivars grown in subtropical climates.
There has been a general improvement in tree productivity as growers experience with managing these fruits in non-traditional production areas increases.
Recent surveys have established productivity benchmarks for low-chill stone ruit.
Yields of very low-chill peach cultivars with short fruit development periods (80–90 days) such as Flordaprince can reach 27 t/ha.
For cultivars with longer fruit development periods (100 – 120 days), such as Flordagold, yields may be as high as 51 t/ha.
The trend is to plant trees at higher densities (1200–1800 trees/ha) and train these trees to a palmette system because of its ease of management.
A small number of high-density orchards are using trees propagated from soft-wood cuttings rather than the more conventional, grafted trees.
With higher density plantings the use of the growth retardant paclobutrazol and/or sequential summer prunings, to control tree vigour, is essential to prevent excessive shading and subsequent loss of productivity.
Authors
A.P. George
Keywords
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