Articles
EFFECT OF ROOTSTOCK, CULTIVAR AND ORCHARD SYSTEM ON APRICOT PRODUCTION
Article number
488_77
Pages
483 – 488
Language
Abstract
An experimental orchard was planted in February 1991 to investigate the effects of two rootstocks (Citation’ and Marianna 2624′), two cultivars (Royal/Blenheim’ and Patterson’) and four different tree training and planting distances.
The tree training systems were open center (633 trees/ha), delayed perpendicular "V" (1055 trees/ha), central leader (1196 trees/ha), and cordon (897 trees/ha). Summer pruning and regulated deficit irrigation were used to control tree vigor and help to induce earlier production.
The first commercial harvest began in 1993. Yield was greater on Citation’ compared with Marianna 2624′ in 1993. Fruit size was similar between the rootstocks.
Patterson’ out yielded Royal/Blenheim’ in this first season of fruiting.
Patterson’/’Citation’ trained to perpendicular "V" produced approx.15 to 17 tons/ha in 1993. Citation’ tended to promote earlier harvest when compared to Marianna 2624′ in 1994. Royal/Blenheim’/’Citation’ trained to a cordon system produced 20 to 22 tons/ha in 1994. Patterson’/’Marianna 2624′ trained to a cordon system produced 30 tons/ha.
These fruits were harvested without the use of ladders because they were small trees.
The average production of mature bearing apricot orchards in California is 12 to 15 tons/ha.
Fruit size ranged from 50 to 65 g per fruit.
Yields in 1995 and 96 were reduced because of inadequate chilling conditions, but generally higher density systems were as or more productive than the more conventional open center system.
It is clear from this work that precocious, productive and easy-to-harvest apricot orchards with high quality fruit can be established on either Citation’ or Marianna 2624′ rootstock by utilizing the techniques employed in these experiments.
The tree training systems were open center (633 trees/ha), delayed perpendicular "V" (1055 trees/ha), central leader (1196 trees/ha), and cordon (897 trees/ha). Summer pruning and regulated deficit irrigation were used to control tree vigor and help to induce earlier production.
The first commercial harvest began in 1993. Yield was greater on Citation’ compared with Marianna 2624′ in 1993. Fruit size was similar between the rootstocks.
Patterson’ out yielded Royal/Blenheim’ in this first season of fruiting.
Patterson’/’Citation’ trained to perpendicular "V" produced approx.15 to 17 tons/ha in 1993. Citation’ tended to promote earlier harvest when compared to Marianna 2624′ in 1994. Royal/Blenheim’/’Citation’ trained to a cordon system produced 20 to 22 tons/ha in 1994. Patterson’/’Marianna 2624′ trained to a cordon system produced 30 tons/ha.
These fruits were harvested without the use of ladders because they were small trees.
The average production of mature bearing apricot orchards in California is 12 to 15 tons/ha.
Fruit size ranged from 50 to 65 g per fruit.
Yields in 1995 and 96 were reduced because of inadequate chilling conditions, but generally higher density systems were as or more productive than the more conventional open center system.
It is clear from this work that precocious, productive and easy-to-harvest apricot orchards with high quality fruit can be established on either Citation’ or Marianna 2624′ rootstock by utilizing the techniques employed in these experiments.
Publication
Authors
S. M. Southwick, James T. Yeager
Keywords
Tree training, high density, Prunus armeniaca
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