ISHS Acta Horticulturae 734: VIII International Symposium on Plum and Prune Genetics, Breeding and Pomology
TOWARDS HIGH DENSITY PLUM GROWING - AGRONOMIC AND ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE OF PLUM (PRUNUS DOMESTICA L.) ON 'VVA-1' ROOTSTOCK |
| Authors: | G. Peppelman, H. Kemp, J.M.T. Balkhoven-Baart, M.J. Groot |
| Keywords: | production, fruit quality, ¿VVA-1¿, ¿Saint-Julien A¿, gross margin, costs, returns, economics |
| Abstract:
In The Netherlands, high density (HD) fruit growing has been the common system for apple and pear for more than 20 years. So far, for plums only (rather) vigorous rootstocks have been available. In 1994, a preliminary trial with ‘VVA-1’ rootstock and ‘Opal’ as scion cultivar was planted in Wilhelminadorp, The Netherlands. In Randwijk, in 1997, another trial with VVA 1 was planted with ‘Avalon’ and ‘Excalibur’ as scion cultivars. In 2000, a rootstock trial with ‘Opal’, ‘Avalon’ and 'Victoria' on ‘VVA-1’ was established. Some ‘VVA-1’ trees were also planted, grafted with different cultivars, in a limited number of commercial fruit orchards. So far, the results of these trials are promising. The production is good, starts early and fruit size is good too. However, recently some trees with serious symptoms of Pseudomonas syringae pv. morsprunorum were observed resulting in a very poor leaf and tree condition. Also trees with Verticillium infections were found and some trees died from this. Currently, plums are grown at a spacing of 4 x 3 m (830 trees/ha) using ‘Saint Julien A’ as rootstock. With ‘VVA-1’, it is possible to plant more densely at 3.6 x 2.0 m (1380 trees/ha). A summary of the trial results obtained so far is given, dealing with tree training, production and fruit quality. Costs and returns and an economic comparison of different life spans, different picking performances and different price levels are also presented. Currently, these price differences occur, due to a new market approach by active grower groups in co-operation with the auctions. If some costs or returns change by using an HD planting system with ‘VVA-1’, like price level due to improved fruit quality, or less labour hours because of smaller trees, the economic result will be improved, compared with the standard system with ‘Saint Julien A’. The life span of plum trees on ‘VVA-1’ is not yet known, however, and it was calculated that, in the event of a shorter life span (15 years) than the commonly used ‘Saint Julien A’ rootstock (with a life span of 18 years), a plum orchard on ‘VVA-1’ will have a poorer economic result. | |
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