Relative Productivity and Yield Efficiency of Canning Peach Trees in Three Intensive Growing Systems

Abstract

Low productivity and decreasing profitability have caused a dramatic reduction in planted area and negligible replanting of canning peach trees in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Areas (M.I.A.) of New South Wales over the past 14 years. The production of canning peaches is now falling below processor requirements. Peach production must be maintained at present levels for continued viability of the canning fruit industry in this region. Furthermore, the average productivity of the remaining plantings is very low by world standards. Faced with rising production costs, growers must raise average efficiency of production to improve profitability.

Orchard Systems Research with Deciduous Trees: A Brief Introduction

“…Heavy posts are required to support the many wires which, in turn, support the tree and allow for positioning limbs with these two systems and with the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Areas (MIA) system. Current devel opments with these trellis systems are reported by the originators of these systems in this workshop (3,7,16).…”

“…Heavy posts are required to support the many wires which, in turn, support the tree and allow for positioning limbs with these two systems and with the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Areas (MIA) system. Current devel opments with these trellis systems are reported by the originators of these systems in this workshop (3,7,16).Free-standing central leader systems on semi-dwarf rootstocks (semi-vigorous rootstocks for spur-type 'Red Delicious') have been popular in the Pacific Northwest region of North America (6) and in the Hawkes Bay region of New Zealand (14). The major objective of these systems was to provide adequate light penetration to all parts of the canopy, ensuring high production of large, highly col ored fruit.…”