ISHS Acta Horticulturae 470: II International Symposium on Pistachios and Almonds
ALTERNATE YEAR PRUNING OF MATURE ‘NONPAREIL’ ALMONDS (PRUNUS COMMUNIS) |
| Authors: | W.H. Krueger, Warren C. Micke, J. Yeager |
| Keywords: | Yield, kernel weight, grower returns |
| Abstract:
Annual pruning has long been recommended for mature almonds in California for fruitwood renewal to maintain production. This study was undertaken to compare the impact of alternate year pruning to that of annual and non-pruning on 10 year-old Nonpareil almond trees. The pruning treatments were: 1) annual; 2) alternate-odd year; 3) alternate-even year; and 4) unpruned. Pruning consisted of removing old wood, crossing limbs and limbs in the centers of the trees by making four cuts 3.8 centimeters in diameter, or the equivalent, per tree. Average pruning weights, yield and kernel sizes were determined annually for the six years of the trial. From 1990 to 1993, the average pruning weight was 22.7 kilograms per tree for the annually pruned compared to 28.2 kilograms per tree for the alternate year pruned. After six years of differential pruning, there were no significant yield differences among treatments. In 1991 and 1993, annually pruned and alternate year pruned trees (in 1992 and 1993) had significantly larger kernels compared to the unpruned trees. Because grower receipts are not based on kernel size in California, there were no differences in crop value. Under the conditions of this trial, we conclude: 1) reductions in yield due to lack of fruitwood renewal did not occur in six years, 2) pruning resulted in larger kernel size, but no additional yield or crop value; 3) alternate year pruning resulted in reduced production costs. | |
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