ISHS Acta Horticulturae 825: I Balkan Symposium on Fruit Growing
DEVELOPMENT OF INTENSIVE ORCHARD SYSTEMS OF STONE FRUITS IN HUNGARY |
| Author: | K. Hrotkó |
| Abstract:
High density central leader systems called “spindle trees” are spreading in intensive stone fruit orchards established for hand picking in Hungary. Results of Brunner (1972, 1990) and Zahn (1967, 1996) inspired researchers to implement their theories into practice under our climate and special soil conditions. For sweet cherry it is essential to apply an orchard system appropriate for hand picking because of the European market requirements. In intensive sweet and sour cherry orchards two training systems are developed and adapted to environmental conditions in Hungary. The first step of the development is represented by the modified Brunner-spindle, which applies the delayed heading of the central leader and the sectorial-double-pruning system from Brunner (1972), resulting in an intensive orchard of 600-800 trees/ha density, planted on standard vigour rootstocks. After turning to bearing regular summer pruning is needed, too strong branches are to be pruned back to a 20-25 cm long stub. The cherry spindle is an intensive orchard planted with 1250-2300 trees per hectare and it is recommended for sweet and sour cherries on semi dwarf to vigorous rootstocks, depending on soil fertility and quality. Trees are 3.5-4.0 m high, 75-80% of the crop can be harvested from the ground. Trials on various rootstocks are running to find optimum spacing and fruiting wood management. The training and pruning guidelines are discussed in the presentation. The average crop of bearing years is around 20-30 t/ha depending on site and cultivars. This new system is spreading in Hungary, around 50 ha sweet and sour cherry orchards are trained according to our guidelines. For intensive plum orchards slender spindle trees are recommended at 1200-2500 trees per hectare density. The trees are trained with permanent basal branches and the fruiting branches are positioned on the basal branches and the central leader. After turning to bearing summer pruning is recommended after harvest, old or too thick fruiting branches are to be pruned back onto a protective branch collar. Trees are 2.5-3.5 m high depending on rootstock 75-80% of the crop can be harvested from the ground. In an average of seven bearing years Stanley produced 30-35 t/ha yields. A new trial is running to find optimum spacing for cultivars and rootstocks. | |
|
Download Adobe Acrobat Reader (free software to read PDF files) | |
