ISHS Acta Horticulturae 65: Symposium on High Density Planting
MEADOW ORCHARDS AND FRUIT WALLS |
| Author: | L.C. Luckwill |
| Abstract:
The meadow orchard and the fruit wall are experimental ultra-high density systems of apple production, which give heavy yields very early in the life of the orchard and which offer possibilities for mechanised pruning and harvesting. In both systems, control of growth and fruiting is achieved through a combination of root competition with the application of growth regulators. In the meadow orchard the trees are planted at a density of 70 000 per ha (30 x 45 cm) and are cropped every alternate year. In the fruit wall (narrow hedgerow system) trees are spaced 30 cm apart in the row with 3 m between rows (approx. 10 000 trees per ha). The commercial viability of both systems depends on the development of cheaper methods of propagating apple trees, possibly from hardwood cuttings. | |
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