ISHS Acta Horticulturae 223: X International Symposium on Horticultural Economics
THE APPLE TREE SYSTEM: A DISTRICT AND GROWER COMPARISON |
| Authors: | G.F. THIELE, P.J. ZAPRZALEK |
| Abstract:
A systems approach has been used to evaluate the efficiency of the apple tree as an economic unit. A monitoring method allowed comparison between three main New Zealand pip-fruit districts and between five properties growing Gala apples in each district. A linear correlation was found between total fruiting arms cross sectional area and butt cross sectional area and was used to justify a sampling procedure which allowed the interrelationships of biological factors such as tree growth, flower numbers, fruit setting, crop loading, fruit yields and packout quality to be established. Yields varying from 35t/ha to 94t/ha for similar aged trees are identified with economic and biological factors through linear multiple regression to explain up to 99.2% of the differences. Fruit value per hectare along with labour, machinery and material imputs are used to identify gross margin differences between growers and districts up to the highest figure of $17,470/ha. | |
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