ISHS Acta Horticulturae 732: VIII International Symposium on Canopy, Rootstocks and Environmental Physiology in Orchard Systems
FINANCIAL RESULTS OF DIFFERENT APPLE PLANTING SYSTEMS WITH TWO STRAINS OF 'JONAGOLD' |
| Author: | J. Vercammen |
| Keywords: | pruning, training, rootstock, ¿Sprint¿ trees, table system, long pruning, yield, fruit quality and profits |
| Abstract:
In order to help fruit growers with their choice of a planting system, 5 different planting systems with 2 strains of 'Jonagold' were compared over 8 years. Data were collected on production, fruit quality, labour requirements and costs. The planting systems were: classical pruning on 'M.27' (3.10 x 1.10 m), sprint trees on 'M.9' (3.00 x 0.75 m), classical pruning on 'M.9' (3.25 x 1.25 m), the table system on 'M.9' (3.50 x 1.50 m) and long pruning on 'M.9' (3.75 x 1.50 m). The sprint trees had the highest costs and required the most labour. However, they also achieved the highest yields, as well as the largest share of premium fruit quality (A2++ in the 70-85 size class). The extra costs and labour only make economic sense if they are compensated by greater financial proceeds per ha. The current low fruit price in the market makes it more difficult to recover the planting costs of the sprint trees, despite the greater yields and the good quality. The best financial results were obtained by the classical pruning on 'M.9', followed by the sprint trees and the table system. In the fourth year (1997), differences in quality had a greater financial impact than differences in yield. Nevertheless, the size of the yield is also very important in the first years. This explains the poorer results of the classical system on 'M.27' and the long pruning system compared to the classical system on 'M.9' and the sprint trees. With the table system, fruit colour was poorer which resulted in lower quality fruit harvested in later years. With the current pricing situation, it is best to choose the classical pruning system on 'M.9'. This system contains the least risks. The planting costs are relatively low and the trees come into production quickly. The dark red mutant strains of 'Jonagold' obtain a better financial result than the bright red mutant, irrespective of the planting system. | |
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