ISHS Acta Horticulturae 636: XXVI International Horticultural Congress: Key Processes in the Growth and Cropping of Deciduous Fruit and Nut Trees
PERFORMANCE OF 'CONFERENCE' PEAR IN FIVE INTENSIVE PLANTING SYSTEMS IN THE NORTH EAST OF SPAIN |
| Authors: | I. Iglesias, R. Montserrat, P. Vilardell, J. Bonany |
| Keywords: | Pyrus communis, training systems, canopy form, light interception, fruit quality, economics |
| Abstract:
Five training systems were evaluated during three years after planting in two growing areas, Lleida and Girona, in Catalonia, (NE-Spain) The aim of the study was to evaluate methods to improve the precocity and yield of ‘Conference’ (Pyrus communis L.) pear on Quince C (Cydonia oblonga) and to evaluate the economic performance of each training system. Trees were trained as structured axis (control), vertical axis, and three variations of the Tatura trellis system that differed depending on the number of branches per tree: Tatura 4 branches, Tatura 2 branches and Tatura 1 branch. Trees were trained specifically for each system in the nursery except for the structured axis. Density of plantings ranged from 2133 to 5333 trees/ha, with spacing between trees from 0.5 to 1.25 m and 3.75m between rows. In Lleida in the second year after planting (2000), significant yields were obtained with all the systems except from the structured axis. In the third year, very high yields were obtained with all systems. Cumulative yields in the third leaf achieved 62 tons/ha with the Tatura 2 and more than 50 tons/ha with all other systems, except the structured axis which only produced 28 tons/ha. In Girona, yields were lower because the study was established using a replant orchard site and specific soil characteristics were different from those of Lleida. Even so, in both sites the Tatura systems provided a higher efficiency than the control system. Fruit quality and size were similar among all the systems. Tree vigor was higher with the structured axis and yield efficiency was lower compared to that of Tatura systems. The highest establishment cost was recorded for Tatura systems reaching 27646 Euros/ha for Tatura 4, the most expensive system, compared with 6010 Euros/ha for structured axis. | |
Download Adobe Acrobat Reader (free software to read PDF files) | |
