ISHS Acta Horticulturae 587: International Symposium on Asian Pears, Commemorating the 100th Anniversary of Nijisseiki Pear
EARLY MATURE ORCHARD SYSTEM OF 'OSA-NIJISSEIKI' PEAR BY TWO PRIMARY SCAFFOLD BRANCH SYSTEM AND HIGH PLANT DENSITY |
| Authors: | K. Matsuura, K. Fukui |
| Keywords: | fruit quality, high plant density, Pyrus pyrifolia, training system, two primary scaffold system, yield |
| Abstract:
In the northern part of Hyogo pref. almost all ‘Nijisseiki’ pear (Pyrus pyrifolia) trees were planted more than 30 years ago. These trees now have low productivity because of their age and need to be replaced by new trees. However, there are problems associated with replanting as the long time period elapses between planting new trees and them achieving high productivity. This paper describes attempts to use a training system of two primary scaffold branches combined with high plant density with the objective of improving yield precocity and simplifying tree training. Two-year-old ‘Osa-nijisseiki’ pear trees were planted in March, 1992. Trees of the high density treatment (H. D.) and the controls were planted at intervals of 1.5m ´ 4.5m and 4.5m ´ 4.5m respectively. Trees of the high density treatment were trained to a two primary scaffold branch system, that had no secondary scaffold branches. During this study, trees of each treatment were not pruned down with the enlargement of the tree crown. The orchard matured earlier using by the two primary scaffold branch system together with high plant density. Only five years after planting, the H. D. treatment showed similar productivity to mature orchards. Individual fruit weight from the H. D. system was slightly smaller than from control trees. Brix of fruit juice from the H. D. system fruits was slightly lower than that of control fruits. There was no significant difference of skin color, fruit flesh hardness, and pH of juice between the two treatments. | |
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