Yield and profitability of ‘Conference’ pear in five training systems in North East of Spain

  • Jaume Lordan 1 IRTA Fruitcentre, PCiTAL, Park of Gardeny, Fruitcentre Building, Lleida 25003, Spain 2 Cornell University, NYSAES, Dept. of Horticulture, Geneva, NY 14456, USA
  • Simó Alegre IRTA Fruitcentre, PCiTAL, Park of Gardeny, Fruitcentre Building, Lleida 25003
  • Ramón Montserrat IRTA Fruitcentre, PCiTAL, Park of Gardeny, Fruitcentre Building, Lleida 25003
  • Luis Asín IRTA Fruitcentre, PCiTAL, Park of Gardeny, Fruitcentre Building, Lleida 25003
Keywords: axis, crop value, fruit quality, fruit size, planting density, Pyrus communis, Tatura

Abstract

Training systems are key to manage the tree canopy to take advantage of the tree productivity potential. Assessment of yearly cropping, labor requirements, fruit quality, and orchard profitability were studied. The experiment was organized in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Five different training systems on Quince EMC rootstock and ‘Conference’ as the scion cultivar were compared. The results of this study show that the use of preformed highly feathered trees is an improvement for both, early cropping and profitability. Planting cost, trellis, and labor requirements had a large impact on the economic viability of each system. Tatura produced high yields, but the strong initial investment that needs to be done at planting makes this system a risky investment. Axis 2 seems to be the most suitable system for early cropping while maintaining intermediate plantation costs and an appropriate level of production efficiency.

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Published
2017-12-21
How to Cite
Lordan, J., Alegre, S., Montserrat, R., & Asín, L. (2017). Yield and profitability of ‘Conference’ pear in five training systems in North East of Spain. Spanish Journal of Agricultural Research, 15(3), 0904. https://doi.org/10.5424/sjar/2017153-10705
Section
Plant production (Field and horticultural crops)