ISHS Acta Horticulturae 65: Symposium on High Density Planting
INTEGRATED EFFECTS OF PLANTING DENSITY ON GROWTH AND CROPPING |
| Author: | M.S. Parry |
| Abstract:
The design of spacing trials involves a conflict between statistical and management requirements which may produce results that are artefacts of the imposed restrictions. Published results, however, reveal a consistent pattern in the effects of competition: close planting may initially improve fruit set and fruit quality by reducing exposure, but a critical point is soon reached at which adverse effects escalate rapidly. Flower bud production is reduced leading to fewer fruits per tree, which, coupled with smaller size and poorer colour may drastically reduce the marketable yield per tree and nullify the benefit of a high tree population. Fruit set may also be impaired if there is severe competition for light. Effects on vigour are soon apparent but much less severe so there is a rapid decline in cropping efficiency. The severity of competition is determined more by the proximity of adjacent trees than by tree density and this accounts for much of the "rectangularity" effect. The critical spacing for optimum yield is largely dependent on the inherent vigour of the scion-rootstock-site combination but can be much influenced by pruning and by the "feedback" effects of cropping. | |
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