ISHS Acta Horticulturae 965: I International Symposium on Mechanical Harvesting and Handling Systems of Fruits and Nuts
HIGH DENSITY PLANTATION SYSTEM OF THE SPANISH CITRUS INDUSTRY |
| Authors: | M. Bordas, J. Torrents, F.J. Arenas, A. Hervalejo |
| Keywords: | crop management, dwarfing rootstocks, fruit quality, hedge row, orchard design, pruning, variety improvement |
| DOI: | 10.17660/ActaHortic.2012.965.15 |
| Abstract:
Spain is positioned as the sixth largest producer of citrus and the largest exporter worldwide, with an area of 315,000 ha in 2009. However, the profitability of Spanish citrus orchards is threatened by the globalization of the market and the existence of countries with cheaper labor, especially for those orchards destined to juice industry where manual harvesting represents about 50% of the final production costs. This situation requires the development of new technologies to improve the competitiveness of this business. In this regard, since 2008, Agromillora, in collaboration with IFAPA-Centro 'Las Torres', is developing a project for a high density plantation system of citrus. The key factors for the new model are the choice of dwarfing rootstocks, tree row structure as a hedge and 100% mechanized harvesting. The project aims to determine an appropriate crop management and pruning strategy to adapt orchards to mechanization. In 2009, six field trials of 1 2 ha were designed and planted with new dwarfing rootstocks, spacing plants at 3.5-4 m × 1-2 m. The expected results were: high and regular yields, rapid entry into production, improved fruit quality and reduced cost of harvesting. Our thinking is that the most suitable method of mechanical harvesting is by an over-row harvester doing continuous mechanization like harvesters used in vineyards and olive groves. After preliminary tests of machinery, we have realized that the High Density System (HDS) requires the formation of an appropriate tree row structure as a hedge of maximum 2.5 m height and 1 m width, and 0.7 m in the base of the trunk free of branches, as well as modify the existing machinery accordingly. | |
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