ISHS Acta Horticulturae 441: V Temperate Zone Fruit in the Tropics and Subtropics
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT OF TEMPERATE FRUITS IN SUBTROPICAL AUSTRALIA |
| Author: | A.P. George |
| Abstract:
The production of temperate fruits in subtropical regions of Australia has expanded rapidly in the past 10 years. Over 800 000 low-chill stone fruit, mainly peaches and nectarines, and to a lesser extent plums, have been planted in subtropical regions of Australia. Another temperate fruit gaining greater importance, because of its potential as an export fruit, is non-astringent persimmon. Over 200 000 trees of this fruit species have been planted to date. Management strategies for growing low-chill temperate fruits in subtropical climates are still being developed. Due to differences in phenology and physiology, management requirements used for high-chill cultivars grown in colder climates need to be modified for low-chill cultivars grown in subtropical climates. There has been a general improvement in tree productivity as growers experience with managing these fruits in non-traditional production areas increases. Recent surveys have established productivity benchmarks for low-chill stone ruit. Yields of very low-chill peach cultivars with short fruit development periods (80–90 days) such as Flordaprince can reach 27 t/ha. For cultivars with longer fruit development periods (100 – 120 days), such as Flordagold, yields may be as high as 51 t/ha. The trend is to plant trees at higher densities (1200–1800 trees/ha) and train these trees to a palmette system because of its ease of management. A small number of high-density orchards are using trees propagated from soft-wood cuttings rather than the more conventional, grafted trees. With higher density plantings the use of the growth retardant paclobutrazol and/or sequential summer prunings, to control tree vigour, is essential to prevent excessive shading and subsequent loss of productivity. | |
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