Post on 10-May-2015
description
Apple Orchard Systems: Tree Density,
Rootstocks and Pruning Systems
Terence Robinson and Steve Hoying
Dept. of Horticulture, Cornell University, Geneva, NY 14456
Umbrella tree (100 trees / ha) Central Leader (500 trees / ha )
Slender Spindle (1,500 trees / ha)
The evolution of orchard systems in the USA
Vertical Axis (1,200 trees / ha)
Tall Spindle (2,500 trees / ha )
Pedestrian Orchards -1980’s Multiple Rows using M.9
Moderate yields and moderate light
interception
High yields but poor quality fruit in the
middle row
High yields and
high light
interception
Geneva Y trellis/M.26
Vertical Axis- 1,500 trees/ha
In the late 1980’s tall orchards (again)
Precision V-trellis 2,000 trees/ha
Mid -1990’s - Super High Densities (5,000 trees/ha)
Super Spindle / M.9 V Super Spindle/M.9
Late 1990’s-
Tall Spindle/M.9
0
50
100
150
200
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002
Year
Effect of Tree Density on Cumulative Yield
5382 Tree/ha
3262 Trees/ha
2243 Trees/ha
1655 Trees/ha
1283 Trees/ha
1026 Trees/ha
840 Trees/ha
598 Trees/ha
0
50
100
150
200
250
0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 5,000 6,000
Tree Density (trees/ha)
Effect of Tree Density on 7 Yr. Cumulative Yield
McIntosh
Gala
Fuji
Empire
Tree density had a highly significant negative effect on cumulative yield per
tree but a highly significant positive effect on yield per ha. The cumulative
yield per ha of the highest tree density was 3X greater than the lowest density
Geneva Y-trellis/M.26
50
100
150
200
250
300
20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Canopy Light Interception (%)
Pal. Trellis
Y-trellis
Sl. Spindle
Vert. Axis
y = -20 + 4.4x
r2 = 0.84
成熟的果园产量更高 (1,500-2,000蒲式耳/英亩)
伸手即摘果园的采光量中等,产量也中等,
除非行间距 7-8 英尺 (210-240 cm)
高树截光更多,
产量也更大
70-75% 的采光量最佳
树高= 行间距 * 0.9 会达到 70-75% 的采光量
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
1,000
1,100
5 10 15 20
Year
Annual Yield of 5 Systems
Super Spindle (2178 tr/ac)
Tall Spindle (1340 tr/ac)
Vertical Axis (908 tr/ac)
Vertical Axis (622 tr/ac)
Central Leader (340 tr/ac)
0
5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
25,000
30,000
35,000
0 500 1000 1500 2000
Tree Density (trees/acre)
NP
V 2
0 y
ears
($
/acr
e)
2010
2003
Profitability of Apple Orchards in NY over 20 Years
The answer depends on price
What is the optimum planting density?
-15,000
-10,000
-5,000
0
5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
25,000
30,000
35,000
40,000
0 500 1000 1500 2000
Tree Density (trees/acre)
NP
V 2
0 y
ears
($
/acr
e) $10/bushel
$8/bushel
$6/bushel
• Our results indicate that the New York growers should increase planting density
from 1,500 trees/ha to 2,500-3,300 trees/ha in a system we call the “Tall Spindle”
Economic Summary
Apple Rootstocks: The Foundation of High-Density
Orchards
Benefits of Dwarfing Rootstocks •Early of cropping (precocity)
• Shorter time to payback initial
investment
•Improved yield/unit land area
(productivity) • Annual profitability
•Reduced tree size (dwarfing level) • Ease and cost of spraying
• Ease and cost of picking
• Ease and cost of pruning
The Apple Tree
Vegetative
Parts
Fruit
Leaf
Solar Radiation
Rootstock
Amount of Fruit (kg)
Trunk Cross-Sectional Area
(cm2) % Light Interception
Seedling Rootstocks promote production of wood
Dwarfing rootstock promote production of fruit
Current Apple Rootstocks:
• Currently in the United States the most common apple rootstocks are M.9, M.26, B.9.
• 60% of the rootstocks are M.9,
• 20% are B.9,
• 10% are M.26,
• 4% are M.7,
• 3% are MM.111
• In China most apple rootstocks are seedling
Challenges with Current Apple Rootstocks:
• Over the last 60 years, growers worldwide have used the Malling series of rootstocks from England. However their limitations are:
• lack of winter hardiness,
• lack of resistance to Phytophthora root rot,
• susceptibility to fire blight bacterial disease,
• burrknots,
• poor anchorage,
• root suckers,
• sensitivity to apple replant disease,
• brittle graft unions.
• lack of precocity.
The Geneva Apple Rootstock Breeding and
Development Program
Joint Program with USDA and Cornell University
Dr. Gennaro Fazio, Herb Aldwinckle and Terence Robinson
Goal: Produce a series of rootstocks which are resistant to important rootstock
diseases and insects that are dwarfing, productive and efficient.
• Resistance to fire blight
• Resistance to Phytophthora root rot
• Resistance to woolly apple aphid
• Cold tolerant
• Resistant to apple replant disease.
The Geneva® rootstocks are a distinct genetic group
from most commercial rootstocks
Coefficient0.00 0.21 0.42 0.63 0.83
PiAu5111MW
G3007 G.935
O.3 G5179 G.202 G.30 G.11 B.9 M.8
M.20 J.9
JM.10 J-TE-G
Pi80 M.9
M.9T337 V.2 M? P.1
P.14 G.16 V.1
G.41 M.27 G.65 M.10 M.13 M.26
Alnarp PiAu514
M.1 M.2 M.4
M.11 M.3
PiAu5683 M.7
PiAu5111 P.18 R.5 V.7
J-TE-C M.25
MM.106 MM.111
B.491 B.118
Maruba NAGA Novole
V.7
V.2
V.1
R.5
PiAu5683
PiAu514
PiAu5111
Pi80
P.18P.14
P.1O.3
Novole
M.9T337
NAGA
MM.111
MM.106
Maruba
M.27
M.26M.25
M.20
M.13
M.11M.10 M?
M.9M.8
M.7
M.4
M.3
M.2
M.1
J-TE-G
J-TE-C
JM.10
J.9
G.65
G.30
G.16
G.11B.9
B.118
B.491
Alnarp
G.935G5179
G.202
G.41
G3007
1.001.00
0.470.47
IIII-0.06-0.06
-0.59-0.59
-1.86-1.86-1.11-1.11
-1.03-1.03
-0.59-0.59
-1.19-1.19
-0.15-0.15
II0.290.29
IIIIII-0.52-0.52
0.720.72
0.140.14
0.810.81
M.9 or
Malling
Cluster
Commercial Apple Rootstocks Represent a Very Restricted Gene Pool
Released Geneva® Apple Rootstocks Arranged by Tree Size
M.27 Size M.9 T337
M.26 Size
M.7-MM106 Size
Seedling Size
G.65 G.41
G.16
G.202 G.30 New
Releases G.210 G.214
M.9 PAJ 2
G.11 G.935
G.969 G.890
G.213 G.222
Propagation of Geneva® Rootstocks
• Rootstocks are propagated in the USA by stoolbed.
• The Geneva rootstocks are started using Tissue Culture
- Tissue Culture to induce greater juvenility in stoolbed
- Tissue Culture plants as then planted in stoolbeds
Rooting of G.41 Apple Rootstock from tissue culture plants
Rooting of G.41 Apple Rootstock in propagation beds
There is Variability in Root Architecture among Geneva Stocks
Drought Affects Root System Characteristics
Many Geneva Rootstocks have Tolerance to Replant Disease
Fine Root Trait in Associated with Replant Disease Tolerance
G214
Geneva Rootstocks have High Yield Efficiency
There are Many New Geneva Rootstock Selections to Test
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
M27
CG
2034
CG
4202
JM4
CG
4088
CG
5757
CG
2406
CG
2022
CG
5030
CG
11
M9
CG
3007
PiA
u5111
CG
4003
CG
6874
C
G4214
M26
JM10
CG
400
4
CG
7480
C
G4019
CG
4049
CG
6969
CG
5087
C
G5202
CG
8534
CG
4814
JM1
CG
4011
CG
5935
CG
6006
CG
5257
MM
106
CG
5012
M7
CG
6210
CG
6879
CG
8189
PiA
u514
PiA
u568
CG
6976
B
118
CG
5890
CG
600
1
CG
6253
CG
401
3
JTE
B
JM2
CG
4213
JTE
C
CG
546
3
CG
658
9
CG
6024
Tru
nk
X-S
ect.
Are
a (
cm2)
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
Yie
ld E
ffic
ien
cy (
kg/c
m2T
CA
)
在中国测试新砧木的可能性
G.11 针对活力强的品种 G.41 针对活力较弱的品
种或重茬 G.935 或 G.202 针对活
力很弱的品种
我们计划和中国的大学合作,建立几个评估性果园
2013- Six Leading Production Systems in the World
Tall Spindle Super Spindle Precision V-Trellis
Solaxe
Bi-Axis
Bi-Axis Solaxe Mur Frutiere (Fruiting Wall)
Tree Density In-Row Between Row
System (trees/ha) (cm) (m)
Tall Spindle (free) 2,500-3,300 90-120 3.3-3.6
Super Spindle (free) 5,000-6,000 50-60 3-3.3
Bi-Axis (free) 1,800-2,500 120 3.3-3.6
Solaxe (semi-organized) 1,500-2,500 120-180 3.6-4.5
Precision V-trellis (organized) 2,500-5,000 60-90 4-5
Fruiting Wall (free) 2,500-3,300 90-120 3.3-3.6
Leading Apple Orchard Systems in the World
• Optimum Economic Tree Density
•2500-3,000 trees/ha
• High Early Production (Feathered trees+minimal pruning)
• 150t/ha in first 5 years
• High Mature Yields (High light interception 70-75%)
• Tree height=0.9*row width (~ 3-3.3m)
• 65t/ha with Gala
• 75t/ha with Fuji
• High Fruit Quality (Good light distribution in the canopy)
• thin conical canopy
• no permanent branches (limb renewal pruning =
removal of limbs larger than 2 cm diameter.
• columnarized (simplified) fruiting branches
• balanced vigor and calm trees
• Improved Labor Efficiency
• Simplified pruning recipe
• Partial mechanization of dormant pruning and tree
training (30-40% reduction in labor costs)
• Summer side wall shearing for summer pruning.
Principles of the Tall Spindle System
Production potential in the second year
0 fruits 5 fruits 10-15 fruits 20-50 fruits
Brookfield Gala/G.41
New York State
10 branches at planting (2006)
40 fruits in the second leaf
(2007)
With the Tall Spindle we can achieve high early yields
with highly feathered trees.
The Potential
Fuji/CG.007
85 fruits/tree in the
second leaf X 3374
trees/ha = 43 t/ha
Managing Feathered Trees
With the Tall Spindle we suggest removing 1-2 of the most vigorous feathers at
planting and tying the rest below horizontal soon after planting.
Up to 3 feathers can be removed With Whips, tree should not be headed.
促进早产的策略
-定植时不进行修剪 (除了去除过大的侧枝以外)
-定植后尽快将侧枝压倒水平线以下
End of First Year
All Feathers tied down at planting
Tree at end of
second year
Feathers tied
down in year 1
Tree at end of
second year
Feathers left
erect in year 1
Grow the tree to the top wire (10 ft) by the end of the second year
Gala/M.9 Honeycrisp/M.9
嘎拉/M.9 第五年,80吨/公顷
New York targets for early yield:
• 10 t/ha in the second leaf
• 25 t/ha in the third leaf
• 45 t/ha in the fourth leaf
• 70 t/ha in the fifth leaf
A total of 150 t/ha over the first 5 years
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
598 840 1026 1283 1655 2243 3262 5382
Density ( tr/ha )
Accu
mu
late
d Y
ield
5 y
ea
rs
(t/a
h)
Common Error: Excessive crop load in the 2-4th Years
We use a strict program of crop load management in the first 5 years.
For non biennial bearing varieties we limit crop load to 5 fruits/cm2 TCA
For biennial bearing varieties we limit crop load to 4 fruits/cm2 TCA
Approximate number of fruits / tree
1st Year 2nd Year 3rd Year 4th Year 5th Year
0 20 40 80 120
Concepts of Pruning – Limb Renewal Pruning
Common Error: Allowing large branches to remain in the tree
Large upper branches cause
shade on lower canopy
Large branches export
carbohydrates to trunk and
root system.
“Large Branches Create Large Trees”
20
40
60
80
100
Tru
nk
X-S
ect.
Are
a (
cm2
)
0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 5,000 6,000
Tree Density (trees/ha)
Effect of Tree Density on Tree Size
McIntoshGala
FujiEmpire
Simple Recipe for Pruning Mature Tall Spindle Trees
1. Limit height by cutting leader to a fruitful side branch at optimum tree height
2. Remove 2-3 branches per year larger than 2cm (2 cut rule)
– Remember "large branches create large trees”
3. “Columnarize” or simplify each remaining branch so that it has a single axis and is left long and pendant
• High fruit quality requires good light distribution and calm trees.
• Limb renewal pruning is the single most important pruning concept for mature high density orchards.
• Large limbs lead to large root systems and greater tree vigor.
Pruning concepts of Large Fuji Trees
Removal of large limbs should be done over a 3 year period
Mature Tree Canopy Management
• "The best way of restricting vegetative growth is to produce apples."
• Use Nutrition to achieve calm tree growth. • Use Pruning to open gaps in the canopy without stimulating
vigor. • Remove 2-3 large branches (diam.~4cm) each year. Do not shorten
other branches. Allow them to become pendant before shortening.
• Modify summer pruning to allow replacement branches to develop on the trunk.
After Several Years of Renewal Pruning the tree has few large
branches
Precision V-Trellis
Benefits - high tree densities, high mature yields, systematized
pruning, adaptable to platforms, less expensive tree, adaptable to
platfomrs, reduced sunburn.
Negatives points – Costly trellis, costly tree training and
development, complicated management.
Super Spindle
Benefits - high tree densities, high early
productions, simple pruning, high fruit quality,
adaptable to platforms.
Negative Points – High investment, excessive vigor
in the top, requires low tree costs, not more
profitable than lower densities.
Solaxe
Solaxe Benefits: Control of excessive vigor, high production,
low alternate bearing.
Negative Points: • At densities above 2000 tr/ha the large
branches in the top create shading problems of the lower canopy.
• The chimney space is wasted. • The chimney does not allow shoots for renewal
shoots. • High hand labor costs to do spur extinction and
limb bending. • It is useful for areas with excessive vigor or
semi-dwarf rootstocks.
Vertical Axis
Bi-Axis
Benefits:- moderate densities but high number of
leaders per acre, high yields, high fruit quality, reduced
vigor in each leader, adaptable to platforms and
mechanical pruning.
Negative points: Requires a 2 stem tree from the
nursery.
Bi-Axis
Fruiting Wall, (Mur Frutiere)
Benefits include- mechanical pruning, reduction
of costs, high yields high fruit quality.
Negative points – vigor can be excessive, fruits
size can be smaller.
Fruiting Wall,
(Mur Frutiere)
• For most growers the Tall Spindle is the best. • Optimum Economic Tree Density 2,500-3,000 trees/ha
• High early production 150 t/ha in first 5 years
• High mature yields 75 t/ha with Fuji
• High Fruit Quality thin conical canopy
• Improved labor efficiency Simplified pruning recipe with
partial mechanization of dormant pruning and tree training
and summer side wall shearing for summer pruning.
• Where vigor is too high the Bi-Axis is an option • With pears and OHF rootstocks
• Where tree cost is low the Super Spindle is an option
• With spur or semi-spur type varieties the Fruiting
Wall is very interesting.
• The Precision V- or Vertical Trellis have little potential
where sunburn is a problem.
Which System is Best
New Directions: Partial Mechanization of Dormant Pruning
The simple pruning recipe of the Tall Spindle is well adapted to
the use of motorized platforms to reduce pruning costs
- The best fruit growers in NY have reported reductions in dormant pruning labor
of 25-40% if the trees are grown in the Tall Spindle system.
Dormant Pruning with a 2-Row Platform
Partial Mechanization of Dormant Pruning and Hand Thinning can
Reduce Labor Costs by 25-50%
New Directions: Mechanical Summer Pruning with the Tall Spindle
Benefits include reduction of costs,
improved fruit quality.
Timing: June, July, August
Mechanization of Summer Pruning
Width 75cm
Width 1.5m
Goal is to have a narrow fruiting wall
with good light distribution but not
create a vigor response in the tree and
reduce pruning costs by 2/3.
With tall spindle the canopy should be
an angled wall 1.5m wide at base and
75cm feet wide at top.
The pruning strategy is to use
mechanized pruning for 2 years then a
corrective dormant pruning to remove
limbs that have become too large and
open up the canopy.
6th Lead Fuji with Mechanical Sidewall Shearing
6th Lead Gala with Mechanical Sidewall Shearing
• For most growers the Tall Spindle is a great system. • Optimum Economic Tree Density
• High Early Production
• High mature yields
• High Fruit Quality
• Partial Mechanization of Pruning for Improved Labor
Efficiency.
• Biggest mistakes are:
• Initial branches not tied down
• Not growing the tree to 3m height fast enough
• Excessive cropping in years 2-4
• Too many large branches when trees are mature
Conclusions
Thank you for your attention