Articles
EFFECT OF CROP LOAD ON THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF ‘GOLDEN SMOOTHEE’ AND ‘MONDIAL GALA’ APPLE PRODUCTION
Article number
940_77
Pages
539 – 543
Language
English
Abstract
The influence of crop load on economic value of fruit yield was studied on full-mature orchards of Golden Smoothee and Mondial Gala, with a density of 1786 trees/ha, in Lleida (NE Spain) through 3 years.
At 40-45 days after full bloom, the number of fruits/tree was counted and the trunk cross-sectional area (TCSA) calculated with the aim of inducing different crop load levels (2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 fruits/cm2 TCSA). Each crop load level was replicated on 6 different trees.
The fruit standard quality, fruit yield in each marketability category and return bloom were recorded; moreover, the incomes were calculated.
Finally, we studied the evolution of each of these parameters according to crop load.
No effects on the starch index and firmness were observed.
However, we noticed a tendency to decrease the solid soluble content and acidity related to higher crop load.
In both cultivars, the higher crop load levels reduced the return bloom.
In conclusion, the optimal crop load level to get the highest income in Golden Smoothee was around 4.5 fruits/cm2 TCSA. For Mondial Gala the optimal crop load was around 3.5 fruits/cm2 TCSA since it was necessary to reduce the crop load to obtain fruits with higher colored surface.
At 40-45 days after full bloom, the number of fruits/tree was counted and the trunk cross-sectional area (TCSA) calculated with the aim of inducing different crop load levels (2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 fruits/cm2 TCSA). Each crop load level was replicated on 6 different trees.
The fruit standard quality, fruit yield in each marketability category and return bloom were recorded; moreover, the incomes were calculated.
Finally, we studied the evolution of each of these parameters according to crop load.
No effects on the starch index and firmness were observed.
However, we noticed a tendency to decrease the solid soluble content and acidity related to higher crop load.
In both cultivars, the higher crop load levels reduced the return bloom.
In conclusion, the optimal crop load level to get the highest income in Golden Smoothee was around 4.5 fruits/cm2 TCSA. For Mondial Gala the optimal crop load was around 3.5 fruits/cm2 TCSA since it was necessary to reduce the crop load to obtain fruits with higher colored surface.
Authors
S. Alegre, E. Torres, L. Asín
Keywords
Malus × domestica, TCSA, crop load, economical return, fruit quality, return bloom
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