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Innovation in New Varieties, New Rootstocks and Training Systems: Towards Higher Efficiency and Sustainability

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A special issue of Agronomy (ISSN 2073-4395). This special issue belongs to the section "Horticultural and Floricultural Crops".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 July 2021) | Viewed by 37371

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. José Casanova Gascón

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Guest Editor

Departamento de Ciencias Agrarias y del Medio Natural, EPS, Universidad de Zaragoza, Carretera de Cuarte, s/n, 22071 Huesca, Spain
Interests: fruit farming; viticulture; oliveculture; orchard management; sustainable agriculture

Dr. Ignasi Iglesias

E-Mail Website
Co-Guest Editor

Agromillora Group, Pl. Manuel Raventós, 3-5, 08770 St. Sadurni d’Anoia, Spain
Interests: stone fruit; fruit quality; new innovative fruit cultivars and rootstocks

Prof. Dr. Stefano Musacchi

E-Mail Website
Co-Guest Editor

Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center, Washington State University, Wenatchee, WA 98801, USA
Interests: orchard management; apple, pear and cherry physiology; crop load; training system; rootstocks; fruit quality optimization; pruning physiology; graft-incompatibility

Dr. Salvatore Camposeo

E-Mail Website
Co-Guest Editor

Dipartimento di Scienze Agro Ambientali e Territoriali DISSAT, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70121 Bari, Italy
Interests: fruit quality; horticulture; irrigation; phenolic compounds; plant physiology; agriculture; soil; wastewater; antioxidant activity; polyphenols
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Special Issue Information

Dear colleagues,

The cultivation of fruit tree accounts for about 8% of the total agricultural surface, and it is the highest valued agricultural activity. Making fruit tree production economically and ecologically sustainable is the main challenge for future orchards. With new varieties and new rootstocks now available, improving our knowledge regarding accurate orchard design, implementing innovative training systems and cultural practices are currently real orchard needs. Economically and ecologically sustainable production requires efficient orchards. In a first step, new cultivars and rootstocks adapted to edafo-climatic conditions and resistant, tolerant or not sensitive to the main pests and diseases. In a second step, the efficient use of inputs is required, in particular labour, water, fertilizers, herbicides and pest and disease control to optimize and/or reduce the cost of production. In a third step to get early yields, reducing the unproductive period and high quality is required in order to recover the initial investment and get an optimum price as soon as possible. Efficient use of pesticides requires inovative training system design and small trees to improve the penetration of the products in the canopy. Further, planar canopies result in a better sunlight distribution into the canopy improving fruit quality, providing better accessibility to labour, allowing partial or total mechanization, and resulting in an overall better efficiency of inputs and, consequently, in a more sustainable production through intensification.

Prof. José Casanova Gascón
Dr. Ignasi Iglesias
Prof. Dr. Stefano Musacchi
Prof. Salvatore Camposeo
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

training system
cost of production
fruit quality
light interception
natural resources use efficiency
orchards design
intensification
sustainability

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 3581 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Lecciana, a New Low-Vigour Olive Cultivar Suitable for Super High Density Orchards and for Nutraceutical EVOO Production

by Salvatore Camposeo, Gaetano Alessandro Vivaldi, Cinzia Montemurro, Valentina Fanelli and Marisa Cunill Canal

Agronomy 2021, 11(11), 2154; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11112154 - 27 Oct 2021

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 4305

Abstract

Cultivar is the key factor for sustainability of the olive super high density planting system (SHD). ‘Lecciana’ is a new olive cultivar for oil production obtained in 1998 by a controlled cross between cv. Arbosana (♀) and cv. Leccino (♂) in a breeding program as part of an international research agreement between Agromillora Iberia S.L.U. and University of Bari. ‘Lecciana’ is the first olive cultivar of Italian descent suitable for SHD, featuring all the vegetative and productive traits required for efficient, sustainable olive growing intensification. Thanks to low vigor, early bearing (3rd year after planting), high yield efficiency (about 0.5 kg of fruits cm⁻² of trunk section area) and good fruit size (3.5 g), ‘Lecciana’ could be planted with tree densities over 1,200 trees per hectare for an efficient continuous mechanical harvesting. High frost resistance, very low pistil abortion (3%), high fruit set (3%), oil content (over 19% fw) and, above all, good unsaturated fatty acids profile, polyphenols content (over 450 mg kg⁻¹) and fruitiness median are the main distinctive characters of this new cultivar. The oils of ‘Lecciana’ fall into the category ‘nutraceutical EVOOs’ which can benefit from the specific functional health claim. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovation in New Varieties, New Rootstocks and Training Systems: Towards Higher Efficiency and Sustainability)

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13 pages, 1239 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Response of Oil Production and Quality to Hedgerow Design in Super-High-Density Olive cv. Arbequina Orchards

by Eduardo R. Trentacoste, David J. Connor and María Gómez-del-Campo

Agronomy 2021, 11(8), 1632; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11081632 - 17 Aug 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2040

Abstract

An analysis is presented of the response of olive oil production and quality parameters, viz. fatty acids (palmitic, oleic and linoleic acids), phenolic compounds and oxidative stability to hedgerow spacing and orientation in 1-m wide super-high-density orchards of cv. Arbequina. Data reveal strong linear relationships between concentrations of fatty acids and internal irradiance within hedgerows, positive for palmitic and linoleic but negative for oleic acid. The result is a significant vertical trend in oil composition within hedgerows, but small to negligible differences in oil harvested from them in totality. The explanation is found in the small ranges and strongly correlated responses of individual fatty acids that together comprise 98% of oil mass. Phenolic compounds respond more widely and to higher levels of irradiance than fatty acids and did show increases in NS hedgerows grown at wide row spacing. Oxidative stability shows a similar trend in phenolic compounds. A simulation study that extended the known responses to 2-m wide hedgerows showed that the linkage between fatty acid profiles was maintained with no resultant differences in the oil composition of the total simulated oil harvest. Based on the current understanding of internal irradiance within olive hedgerows, there seems to be little opportunity to manage oil quality by orchard structure. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovation in New Varieties, New Rootstocks and Training Systems: Towards Higher Efficiency and Sustainability)

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15 pages, 6296 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Two Almond Cultivars Trained in a Super-High Density Orchard Show Different Growth, Yield Efficiencies and Damages by Mechanical Harvesting

by Francesco Maldera, Gaetano Alessandro Vivaldi, Ignasi Iglesias-Castellarnau and Salvatore Camposeo

Agronomy 2021, 11(7), 1406; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11071406 - 13 Jul 2021

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3658

Abstract

Modern almond growing travels on the tracks of super-high density (SHD). Born in 2010, it has already reached 6700 ha planted all over the world. This new cultivation system needs to define efficient agronomic techniques in order to identify it as a “Super-Efficient System”. Among these, the choice of cultivar is a crucial technique and a key factor for sustainability. The purpose of this study was to compare different cultivars in terms of vegetative, productive, and efficiencies parameters in order to gain applicable relevant knowledge about the SHD almond cultivation technique. For this, 3 years of research was carried out during 2017–2019, on a young almond grove made in 2014 with row spacing of 3.80 m × 1.20 m (2190 trees/ha), to evaluate the agronomic behavior of the two most planted cultivars in Italy, Guara-Tuono and Lauranne^® Avijor, grafted on the Rootpac^®20 dwarfing rootstock. The main biometric, productive, yield, mechanical harvesting efficiencies, and almond quality parameters were evaluated. Cv Lauranne^® showed greater vigor, greater fruit yield, and damaged axes by mechanical harvesting, while higher values of yield efficiencies were observed for cv Tuono. Harvesting efficiency was related to canopy size and tree age. On the contrary, almonds quality parameters were strongly related to the cultivar, confirming the good performance of Tuono as varietal characters. Then, this cultivar seems to be the most suitable for an efficient SHD planting system, in line with the objectives of modern sustainable fruit growing. The better performance of cv Tuono could be related to the positive influence of the terroir as well. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovation in New Varieties, New Rootstocks and Training Systems: Towards Higher Efficiency and Sustainability)

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20 pages, 1481 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Row Orientation and Canopy Position Affect Bud Differentiation, Leaf Area Index and Some Agronomical Traits of a Super High-Density Almond Orchard

by Francesco Maldera, Gaetano Alessandro Vivaldi, Ignasi Iglesias-Castellarnau and Salvatore Camposeo

Agronomy 2021, 11(2), 251; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11020251 - 29 Jan 2021

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2608

Abstract

Super-high density (SHD) is the latest innovation in almond growing. This new cropping system needs to be studied in different climates, soils, latitudes and cultivars in order to promote more efficient and sustainable orchard management. This study shows the effects of two row orientations and different canopy positions on leaf area index (LAI), photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and biological, phenological and agronomical parameters of a SHD almond orchard. Total bud number and flower bud number were higher for N-S row orientation and more wood buds were detected in top layers. LAI was strongly influenced by layer, but not by row orientation. Row orientation did not affect blooming or ripening phenology. Fruit number per layer was higher for North–South (N-S) row orientation and in middle layers; fruit set showed the opposite trend to flower bud and fruit numbers, achieving higher values for East–West (E-W) row orientation. Hulled fruit yield was not affected by row orientation but by canopy height. N-S oriented rows showed a greater number of empty nuts than E-W, but no differences were found between layers. We concluded that in SHD almond orchards, row orientation is determinant for sustainable crop management. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovation in New Varieties, New Rootstocks and Training Systems: Towards Higher Efficiency and Sustainability)

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18 pages, 8231 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Micropropagation Effects on Juvenile Traits, Flower Differentiation, and Tree Architecture in Young Olive Trees

by Davide Neri, Tonino Cioccolanti, Giuseppe Zuccherelli, Oriano Navacchi, Veronica Giorgi and Enrico Maria Lodolini

Agronomy 2020, 10(11), 1742; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10111742 - 09 Nov 2020

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3268

Abstract

Olive micropropagation is nowadays possible but knowing if it induces juvenile traits and how juvenility, vigor and fruit productivity are affected is pivotal. Three trials were carried out during micropropagation and afterwards in the field. Three varieties were characterized during multiplication in vitro, after several subcultures. ‘Arbequina’ revealed higher shoot miniaturization than ‘Coratina’ and ‘Frantoio’, and likely-juvenile shoots with three or four leaves per node. The ‘Arbequina’ trees obtained from two- and three-leaves-per-node in vitro plantlets were compared to cuttings in the field. Two years after planting, flower-differentiated shoots were found in the apical part of the canopy in all tested trees while in this position the ramification was more intense on three-leaves-per-node trees. Architecture of ‘Arbequina’ trees from micropropagation and cuttings was finally characterized in a high-density commercial grove. Micropropagated trees showed a well distributed and deep root system, a regular conical shape of the canopy, a higher number of primary branches, and a reproductive ability equivalent to cuttings. In conclusion, some juvenile traits and vigor may appear in vitro and last after ex vitro acclimation, but no more than two years in the field. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovation in New Varieties, New Rootstocks and Training Systems: Towards Higher Efficiency and Sustainability)

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Review

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20 pages, 3016 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

Optimizing Peach Tree Canopy Architecture for Efficient Light Use, Increased Productivity and Improved Fruit Quality

by Brendon M. Anthony and Ioannis S. Minas

Agronomy 2021, 11(10), 1961; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11101961 - 29 Sep 2021

Cited by 24 | Viewed by 8942

Abstract

Peach production in the USA has been in decline in recent decades due to poor fruit quality, reduced consumption and increased cost of production. Productivity and fruit quality can only be enhanced in the orchard through optimizing preharvest factors such as orchard design and training systems. Transition from low-density plantings (LDP) to high-density plantings (HDP) in peach is associated with the availability of reliable size controlling rootstocks. Increased densities must be combined with modern training systems to diffuse vigor and further increase light interception and yields, while optimizing light distribution, fruit quality and cost of production. Several training systems have been tested in peach with various objectives and goals, such as increasing light, water use and labor efficiencies, along with designing canopy architectures to facilitate mechanization and robotics. In general, increased planting densities increase yields, but excessive densities can promote shade, while excessive crop load can deteriorate quality. An ideal peach cropping system should optimize light interception and light distribution to balance maximum yield potential with maximum fruit quality potential. Successful management of high-density peach fruiting wall systems can lead to enhanced and uniform fruit quality, and ensure a sustainable industry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovation in New Varieties, New Rootstocks and Training Systems: Towards Higher Efficiency and Sustainability)

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34 pages, 3743 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

Training Systems and Sustainable Orchard Management for European Pear (Pyrus communis L.) in the Mediterranean Area: A Review

by Stefano Musacchi, Ignasi Iglesias and Davide Neri

Agronomy 2021, 11(9), 1765; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11091765 - 02 Sep 2021

Cited by 32 | Viewed by 11403

Abstract

In 2018, 23.2 Mt of pears were produced in the world across 1.3 million hectares (ha) of cultivated land. This review analyzes different training systems and management styles that have been adopted worldwide, emphasizing the European pear’s economic and environmental sustainability for the Mediterranean area of cultivation. Despite a reduced number of cultivars utilized around the world, pear presents a plethora of innovative training systems. In Europe, dwarfing rootstocks have led to reduced planting distances and a subsequent increase in planting density. Still, the economic sustainability of these systems is now questionable. Many of the quince rootstocks have made it possible to considerably reduce the size of the tree and introduce the concept of continuous row planting, with the management of orchards from the ground (i.e., pedestrian orchard). The planting distance must be chosen according to the soil fertility, the vigor of the grafting combination, and the training system. The planting distance dramatically affects the pruning and the management of soil, fertilization, and irrigation. The reduction of tree size also lowers the volume of spray necessary when applying pesticides. The variability in yield worldwide results from the interaction amongst cultivar/rootstock/training system/climate/management. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovation in New Varieties, New Rootstocks and Training Systems: Towards Higher Efficiency and Sustainability)

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