Approaching apricots

摘要

Specifications of orchard systems to meet the needs of the stone fruit industry will continue to be influenced by a combination of cultural, economic and marketing conditions. Multileader two-dimensional (2D) fruiting walls are becoming popular with Australian orchardists who want intensive production systems, especially when a vigorous rootstock can be used at a moderate tree density and trees have a simple structure that is efficient and labor friendly.Intensive apricot production has lagged behind that of apple, presumably because apricot trees are grown on vigorous plum rootstock. However, training apricot trees with multiple leaders that have no branches, only fruiting units, may offer orchardists quicker returns on investment through earlier bearing and more efficient labor use, move quickly into production with new varieties and improve competitiveness.