ISHS Acta Horticulturae 275: International Symposium on the Culture of Subtropical and Tropical Fruits and Crops
THE COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF FRUIT TREE CROPS IN AN ARID SUBTROPICAL CLIMATE: SOME CASE HISTORIES |
| Author: | C.A. Schroeder |
| Abstract:
The successful adaptation of plant species to the arid subtropical climate of California has resulted in the development of equipment and technology to provide adequate conditions for specific plant requirements. Modification of the environment has provided almost complete control of growth and production. Pollen sources in the Smyrna fig and the lack of appropriate devices for processing the pistachio are examples of "limiting factors" which were provided and resulted in the commercial development of the crops. Hulling technology developed about 1960 allowed the pistachio industry to increase from 150 acres (56.6 Ha) in 1960 to the present 52 000 (22 127.8 Ha) in 1988. The beneficial effects of hand pollination now provide a basis for a potential development of the cherimoya as an industry. The careful identification of cultivars has been responsible for increased yields and quality of many fruits. The successful marketing of several lesser known fruits has been achieved by sophisticated techniques. | |
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