ISHS Acta Horticulturae 203: IX Symposium on Horticultural Economics, XXII IHC
INFLUENCE OF TREE LOSS ON RATE OF RETURN OF DIFFERENT APPLE PRODUCTION SYSTEMS |
| Authors: | R.C. Funt, M.A. Ellis, D.C. Ferree |
| Abstract:
Pyramid hedgerow (426 trees/ha), interstem (795 trees/ha), dwarf trellis (1121 trees/ha) and slender spindle (2151/ha) production systems for 'Golden Delicious' apples were established in 1973 and began production in 1975. All costs and returns were recorded to 1982 and based on 1982 prices. Internal rates of return were used for annual summations and for sensitivity analysis as to the risk of a 10% tree loss in the third and sixth years within the 10-year orchard life. When different 'Golden Delicious' apple production systems were compared with ten percent tree loss in the third year (10-year life), there were no economic differences between systems. Further, there were no economic differences between a ten percent tree loss only in the sixth year as compared to the same loss in the third year. The major reason for a reduction in the rate of return was the amount of revenue lost due to the tree loss and not the cost of replanting trees. Tree loss to collar rot (Phytophthora cactorum) and/or fire blight (Erwinia amylovora) can be a problem when apple trees begin to produce fruit and can continue to cause tree death. Rootstocks vary in susceptibility and economic loss. | |
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