Developing a New Paradigm for Apple Training

摘要

Past decades have experienced dramatic changes in concepts for apple training. Paralleling the increase in planting density, the use of dwarfing rootstocks strongly influences the way upon which orchards are managed. As a consequence the need to develop training and pruning strategies better fitted to the tree growing and fruiting habits has become a challenging issue. The talk will present the rationale which is behind the developments made in France from the Vertical Axis during the 60's to the current Centrifugal Training system. Ongoing applied research objectives are to better adapt training and pruning procedures to tree architecture to improve production of high quality fruits and to assess interactions with pests and diseases.