INCREASING yields: The tall spindle is the optimum orchard system for eastern U.S. growers, says a Cornell University horticulturist

摘要

Growers around the world are working to increase apple orchard system efficiencies to improve profitability. While there are several ways to improve orchard efficiency, increasing yields may be the most practical tool. Research shows that the tall spindle system can produce high yields of quality fruit for eastern U.S. orchardists. Several factors are driving the need to improve orchard efficiency, said Dr. Terence Robinson, Cornell University horticulturist. Around the world, orchard costs (labor, fuel, inputs), fruit quality requirements, and establishment costs are all increasing, he said during the Great Lakes Expo in Grand Rapids, Michigan. But even more important, competing regions are producing high quality fruit with high yields. "It has become critical that growers in the eastern United States become aggressive in improving orchard efficiency," he said.