Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/291333
www.goodfruit.com GOOD FRUIT GROWER APRIL 15, 2014 37 millimeters (box size 88). This ready reckoner is meant to take much of the guesswork out of fruit thinning. Orchardists in Australia regard tree density, training system, and climate the most important factors affecting yield. For compelling economic reasons, apple growers in Australia are investing in high-density orchard systems, which are productive and produce fruit more efficiently than the old low-density orchards. The high investment dictates that production targets are set and met. Such production targets for Australian apple orchards of dif- ferent tree densities and ages of trees were not readily available previously. A search of literature on yield performance of high-density orchards and marketable yields of a num- ber of well-managed apple plantings in Australia brought together target yields that orchardists can use with con- fidence for varieties such as Pink Lady, Sundowner, Granny Smith, Gala strains, Golden Delicious, Smoothee, Braeburn, and Jonagold. • Van den Ende is a tree fruit consultant in Australia's Goulburn Valley. Table 1 Target early yields Marketable yields of apples at different tree densities and tree ages. Trees per Tonnes per hectare/Bins per acre hectare/ Year acre 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Total 500/200 0 0 1 15 27 39 47 114 1,000/400 0 1 10 24 36 46 55 139 1,111/450 0 2 11 26 38 48 57 182 1,480/600 1 8 20 33 45 55 64 226 2,000/800 5 16 29 42 53 63 65 273 2,222/900 8 19 32 45 57 65 65 291 2,964/1,200 15 31 46 59 65 65 65 346 4,000/1,600 25 46 63 65 65 65 65 394 SOURCE: Bas van den Ende Table 2 Target fruit per tree Number of fruit per tree to obtain the yields in Table 1, is based on a fruit size of 74 – 76 millimetres diameter (box size 88). Trees per hectare/ Year acre 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 500/200 0 0 11 165 297 429 517 1,000/400 0 6 55 132 198 253 302 1,111/450 0 10 61 144 211 267 317 1,480/600 4 30 75 124 169 206 240 2,000/800 14 44 81 117 147 175 181 2,222/900 20 48 80 113 143 163 163 2,964/1,200 28 58 86 111 122 122 122 4,000/1,600 35 64 88 90 90 90 90 The range of fruit weights and measurements depends on the density and shape of the ZEVMIX][LMGLEJJIGXWLS[QER]ETTPIW½XMRXSETEVXMGYPEVFS\SJEKMZIR[IMKLX %XPIEWXTIVGIRXWLSYPHFIEHHIHXSIEGL½KYVIJSVWIGSRHGPEWWJVYMXERHGYPPW SOURCE: Bas van den Ende APPLE • PEAR • CHERRY • PLUM • APRICOT Our pollen is viability tested to assure quality. Exclusive distributor of SCUMBY PUFFERS®. Accurate on any planting. 800-322-8852 www.firmanpollen.com 301 N. 1st Avenue • Yakima, Washington 98902 509-452-8063, fax 509-453-6838 Quality Firman Pollen Improves: Fruit Set Bee Efficiency Pollination Timing Quality Pollination Improves: Yield Consistency Fruit Quality Fruit Storability Trust Quality Firman Pollen Viability And Virus Tested Compatibility Matched Leaders in Application Technology j j j j j j j j j Since 1933 FIRMAN Pollen Co. QUALITY & VALUE you can TRUST WASHINGTON: CALIFORNIA: AREA REPRESENTATIVES: Columbia Basin and Yakima Valley Randy Bunce 509-452-8063 randy@firmanpollen.com Wenatchee/ Okanogan area Tom, Kyle & Linda Batch 509-687-9670 Bleyhl Farm Service Grandview 509-882-1225 Zillah 509-829-6922 Linden John DeMartini 209-484-8502 Tulare & Kern Counties Bob Cademartori 209-601-0754