Articles
DEVELOPING A PEDESTRIAN PLUM ORCHARD: THE ROLE OF TREE FORM, DENSITY, AND HEIGHT
Article number
985_21
Pages
175 – 180
Language
English
Abstract
In March 2007, a block of Owen T plums growing on the semi-dwarfing rootstock Citation was planted at the University of California Kearney Field Station.
The overall goal was to compare the yield and fruit size potential of standard height plum trees with a true pedestrian orchard in which no ladders are used or required.
Two row spacings/tree height configurations were used:
1) standard 5.5 m wide rows in which the trees were allowed to grow to standard height (~3.7-4.0 m); and 2) 4.6 m wide rows in which the trees were kept at a pedestrian height (~2.0 m). Tree form within each height treatment included three training systems: 1) 6-leader Hex-V trees, 2) 4-leader Quad-V trees, and 3) 2-leader Kearney V (KAC-V) trees planted at 3.6, 2.4, and 1.2 m apart in the tree rows, respectively.
The trees produced commercial yields beginning in 2009, the 3rd growing season.
Yields were primarily related to tree density, with the 2-leader KAC-V trees having the greatest yields, irrespective of tree height.
Tall trees tended to have cumulative yield equal to or slightly greater than short trees of a comparable form, and short trees tended to have larger fruit size.
Regression analysis indicated that these differences were primarily related to crop load rather than a function of tree height, and when crop loads were calculated on a per hectare basis; both short and tall trees had similar production and fruit sizing potential in 2010 and 2011. Based on these results, it appears that, smaller, more easily-managed trees may be a viable option for fresh market plum growers in California.
The overall goal was to compare the yield and fruit size potential of standard height plum trees with a true pedestrian orchard in which no ladders are used or required.
Two row spacings/tree height configurations were used:
1) standard 5.5 m wide rows in which the trees were allowed to grow to standard height (~3.7-4.0 m); and 2) 4.6 m wide rows in which the trees were kept at a pedestrian height (~2.0 m). Tree form within each height treatment included three training systems: 1) 6-leader Hex-V trees, 2) 4-leader Quad-V trees, and 3) 2-leader Kearney V (KAC-V) trees planted at 3.6, 2.4, and 1.2 m apart in the tree rows, respectively.
The trees produced commercial yields beginning in 2009, the 3rd growing season.
Yields were primarily related to tree density, with the 2-leader KAC-V trees having the greatest yields, irrespective of tree height.
Tall trees tended to have cumulative yield equal to or slightly greater than short trees of a comparable form, and short trees tended to have larger fruit size.
Regression analysis indicated that these differences were primarily related to crop load rather than a function of tree height, and when crop loads were calculated on a per hectare basis; both short and tall trees had similar production and fruit sizing potential in 2010 and 2011. Based on these results, it appears that, smaller, more easily-managed trees may be a viable option for fresh market plum growers in California.
Authors
K.R. Day, R.S. Johnson, T.M. DeJong
Keywords
Prunus salicina, tree height, crop load, pruning system, high density
Online Articles (34)