Intensive sweet cherry production: research objectives and approaches at the Fruit Growing Institute - Plovdiv
Kouman Koumanov
[email protected] www.fruitgrowinfinstitute.com
COST Action FA 1104 Fruit Growing Institute
Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Trends in sweet cherry production
Relatively high yields and good fruit quality
Extensive character
Stagnation on a global scale
big size trees
high and gradually increasing labor expenses
late fruiting
delayed pay-back of investments
diminishing profits
Need for intensification
Intensive cherry production
Smaller trees, denser orchards
Early fruiting
Higher yields and fruit quality
Economy of labor, water, mineral nutrients and agrochemicals
Small-tree advantages
harvesting and pruning from the terrain
improved photosynthesis and fruit coloration
easier plant protection and cheaper protective covers
earlier pay-back of investments
Higher initial investments
High expertise required
Dwarfing and productive rootstocks
Traits and “bottlenecks” of the dwarfing rootstocks
tendency to overloading – poor growth – small fruit – stunt trees – dead trees
suited to rainy climates and on fertile soils with good water holding capacity
non-adapted to drought conditions and on poor and light soils (Lang, 2000; Bujdosó et al., 2004; Bujdosó, 2006; Papachtazis, 2006; Jiménes et al., 2007; De Salvador et al., 2008; Godini et al., 2008; Gyeviki et al., 2008; Ster, 2008; Bujdosó and Hrotkó, 2009; Fajt et al., 2009; Hrotkó et al., 2009; Lichev and Papachtazis, 2009; Long, 2009; Cantin et al, 2010; James, 2010; Long and Kaiser, 2010; Long et al., 2011)
critical factors:
pruning
water regime
mineral nutrition
Challenging the paradigms
Irrigation specificity with trees on dwarfing rootstocks
Intensification = Microirrigation
small and slow water applications, frequent (daily) and even continuous, directly in the tree root zone
Small and shallow root system
Concentration of absorbing roots in the limited volume of soil wetting
Lack of water storage in the soil
Dependence on the soil properties
Extending irrigation intervals is detrimental
Trees are highly susceptible to errors in the irrigation regime
Drawing from: Rieul, L. 1990. Irrigation –
Guide pratique, CEMAGREF Any breaches of the microirrigation technology
may subject the cherry trees to water stress for
the most part of their life.
Fertilization specificity with trees on dwarfing rootstocks
Intensification = Fertigation
Fertilization dose is divided into parts and supplied according to the crop nutrient assimilation
Small and shallow root system
Concentration of absorbing roots in the limited volume of soil wetting
Local nutrient depletion in the bulb
Fertigation = “Open Hydroponics”
Soil water status and soil fertility have no significant effect on the tree development
Considerable dependency on external sources of nutrients
Drawing from: Rieul, L. 1990. Irrigation –
Guide pratique, CEMAGREF
Any breach of the nutrient supply may become
limiting to both growth and yield of cherry trees
Guiding postulations
The intensive cherry production differs, almost thoroughly, from the traditional technology regarding pruning, irrigation and fertilization
Microirrigation and fertigation are indispensable elements of the technology, and the fine tuning of irrigation and fertilization regimes is a requisite
The unsatisfactory results come after disregarding the extremely high requirements concerning pruning, water regime and mineral nutrition of the trees grown intensively
The well supplied with water and nutrients soils compensate for eventual breaches of the irrigation and fertilization regimes, thus concealing human mistakes
The research should be carried out by large groups of scientists with diverse expertise, complementing one another
The modern equipment, the high and multivalent grower qualification and the strict execution of each operation are imperative.
Subjects of investigation at FGI
Cultivar-rootstock combinations: planting distances, training and pruning,
tree architecture, growth and yield.
Cultivars: Bigarreau Burlat, Bing, Hudson, Katalin, Kordia, Lapins, Nalina, Regina, Summit, Sunburst.
Rootstocks: Gisela 5, Camil, Damil, Inmil, Prunus Mahaleb and Prunus Avium (Mazzard).
Subjects of investigation at FGI
Scion-rootstock combinations: planting distances, training and pruning,
tree architecture, growth and yield.
Microirrigation (drip & microsprinkling): crop evapotranspiration,
regulated deficit irrigation, spatial and temporal distribution of water and root
extraction in the soil, rainfall efficiency.
Fertigation: timing and doses, tree’s mineral nutrition, fertilizers’ migration
and localization in the soil.
Herbigation: efficiency, selectivity, duration of the effect, mobility in the soil,
and persistency of the applied herbicides
Insectigation: efficiency, translocation in soil and trees, impact on the soil
micro-flora and fauna; pesticide residues in fruit and plant organs
transfer of viral infections and their impact on the plant productivity under
microirrigation and chemigation
Technology for intensive sweet cherry production
Multipurpose microirrigation systems
V1-MS Microsprinkling
microsprinklers – deflection type
distance – 1.0 m
discharge – 25 L h-1
wetted strip – 2.0 m
V2-DI Drip irrigation
drippers – on 2 laterals
distance – 1.0 m
discharge – 4 L h-1
wetted strip – 2.0 m
Multipurpose microirrigation systems
V3-Std Hand sprayer + Drip
drippers – on 2 laterals
distance – 1.0 m
discharge – 4 L h-1
wetted strip – 2.0 m
V4-Ctrl Non-treated control
drippers – on 2 laterals
distance – 1.0 m
discharge – 4 L h-1
wetted strip – 2.0 m
Microclimatic effect of microirrigation
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
11 12 13 14 15 16
24
26
28
30
32
34
36
38
1.00m 1.75m
2.5m reference
Astronomic time, hours
Relative
Humidity %
Diffe
ren
ce, %
Co
ntr
ol, %
-6
-5
-4
-3
-2
-1
0
1
11 12 13 14 15 16
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
1.00m
1.75m
2.50m
reference
Astronomic time, hours
Temperature, °С
Dif
fere
nce
, °С
Co
ntr
ol, °С
Microsprinkling
-6
-5
-4
-3
-2
-1
0
1
11 12 13 14 15 16
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
1.00m
1.75m
2.50m
reference
Astronomic time, hours
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
11 12 13 14 15 16
24
26
28
30
32
34
36
38
1.00m 1.75m
2.5m reference
Astronomic time, hours
Temperature, °С
Relative
Humidity, %
Dif
fere
nce
, %
D
iffe
ren
ce, °С
Co
ntr
ol, %
C
on
tro
l, °С
Drip irrigation
almond tree microsprinkler tensiometers neutron probe
access tubes
0.00
0.15
0.30
0.45
0.60
0.75
0.90
0.0
0.5
2.40m
1.0 distance
from the
1.5 microsprinkler
(m)
2.0
0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0
distance from the microsprinkler (m)
access tubes – 4 plots, with 12, 15, 16 & 25 tubes
tensionics 10, 30, 50, 70 & 90 cm
neutron probe 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90 & 105 cm
tensiometers 62.5-77.5 cm or 82.5-97.5 cm
tensionics 10, 30, 50, 70 и 90 cm
Nutrient concentrations in the soil solution BigareauxBurlat/Mazzard - 2010
10 c
m d
epth
30 c
m d
epth
Drip irrigation Microsprinkling
0
100
200
300
400
-1 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15
N-N
O3
- , m
g L
-1
0
5
10
15
20
25
P2O
5 &
K2O
, m
g L
-1
EC
, cS
m-1
; p
H
0
100
200
300
400
-1 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15
N-N
O3
- , m
g L
-1
0
5
10
15
20
25P
2O
5 &
K2O
, m
g L
-1
EC
, cS
m-1
; p
HN-NO3- P2O5 К2O
EC pH
0
100
200
300
400
-1 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15
N-N
O3
- , m
g L
-1
0
5
10
15
20
25
P2O
5 &
K2O
, m
g L
-1
EC
, cS
m-1
; p
H
0
100
200
300
400
-1 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15
N-N
O3
- , m
g L
-1
0
5
10
15
20
25
P2O
5 &
K2O
, m
g L
-1
EC
, cS
m-1
; p
H
Nutrient concentrations in the soil solution BigareauxBurlat/Mazzard - 2011
B.B./P.Av.-DI B.B./P.Av.-MS
Дъ
лб
очина
10 c
m
Дъ
лб
очина 3
0 c
m
Дъ
лб
очина 5
0 c
m
0
100
200
300
400
-1 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15
N-N
O3
- , m
g L
-1
0
5
10
15
20
25
P2O
5 &
K2O
, m
g L
-1
EC
, cS
m-1
; p
H
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
-1 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15
N-N
O3
- , m
g L
-1
0
5
10
15
20
25
P2O
5 &
K2O
, m
g L
-1
EC
, cS
m-1
; p
H
0
100
200
300
400
-1 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15
N-N
O3
- , m
g L
-1
0
5
10
15
20
25
P2O
5 &
K2O
, m
g L
-1
EC
, cS
m-1
; p
H
N-NO3- P2O5 К2O
EC pH
0
100
200
300
400
-1 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15
N-N
O3
- , m
g L
-1
0
5
10
15
20
25
P2O
5 &
K2O
, m
g L
-1
EC
, cS
m-1
; p
H
0
200
400
600
800
1000
-1 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15
N-N
O3
- , m
g L
-1
0
5
10
15
20
25
P2O
5 &
K2O
, m
g L
-1
EC
, cS
m-1
; p
H
0
100
200
300
400
-1 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15
N-N
O3
- , m
g L
-1
0
5
10
15
20
25
P2O
5 &
K2O
, m
g L
-1
EC
, cS
m-1
; p
H
10
cm
de
pth
5
0 c
m d
ep
th
30
cm
de
pth
Chemigation
fertigation
herbigation
Fertigation:
Kristalon
Labin
Compo
Ammonium nitrate
Herbigation:
pendimetalin
oxifluorofen
diquat
pendimetalin
oxifluorofen diquat
Insectigation effect
Regulated deficit irrigation
4,5
57,6
9
5,8
3
4,9
2
6,3
1
6,8
6
1,4
8
1,7
0
3,5
0
6,3
7
5,5
0
7,5
7
4,7
1
6,0
2
1,1
6
1,1
5
4,5
5
6,1
0
6,0
2
6,4
3
5,0
0
6,3
8
2,6
9
1,5
7
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
m3
Gisela5 GM61/1 GM79 GM9 Gisela5 GM61/1 GM79 GM9 Gisela5 GM61/1 GM79 GM9
0.5 ET1.0 ET
Burlat Regina Bing
0
50
100
150
kg/tre
e
Burlat Regina Bing
0,5 ET
1,0 ETCumulative yield (2007-2010)
on Gisela 5
Effect of the application rates on the canopy volume
Cherry tree architecture
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
2 3 4 5 6 7
Wood age, years
Pa
rt o
f th
e to
tal fr
uit, % Sunburst
Regina
Kordia
Lapins
Katalin
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
2 3 4 5 6 7
Wood age, years
Pa
rt o
f th
e to
tal fr
uit, % B. Burlat
Nalina
Summit
Hudson
0
2
4
6
8
10
0 2 5 7
Number of leaves per fruit
Fru
it m
ass,
mm
girdled shoots
non-girdled shoots
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
0 2 5 7
Number of leaves per fruit
Fru
it s
ize
, m
m
girdled shoots
non-girdled shoots
mm
Temperature regime and rainfalls
-5
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
01/04
11/04
21/04
01/05
11/05
21/05
31/05
10/06
20/06
30/06
10/07
20/07
30/07
09/08
19/08
29/08
08/09
18/09
28/09
08/10
18/10
28/10
Дати
Тем
пература н
а в
ъзуха T
, °C
0
6
12
18
24
30
36
42
48
54
60
Ва
ле
жи
P, m
m
P
Тav.d.
Тmax
Tmin
203 mm, p = 80 %; 19.9 °C, p = 24%
-5
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
01/04
11/04
21/04
01/05
11/05
21/05
31/05
10/06
20/06
30/06
10/07
20/07
30/07
09/08
19/08
29/08
08/09
18/09
28/09
08/10
18/10
28/10
Дати
Тем
пература н
а в
ъзуха T
, °C
0
6
12
18
24
30
36
42
48
54
60
Ва
ле
жи
P, m
m
P
Тav.d.
Тmax
Tmin
203 mm, p = 80 %; 19.9 °C, p = 24% 2009
-5.0
0.0
5.0
10.0
15.0
20.0
25.0
30.0
35.0
40.0
45.0
01/04
11/04
21/04
01/05
11/05
21/05
31/05
10/06
20/06
30/06
10/07
20/07
30/07
09/08
19/08
29/08
08/09
18/09
28/09
08/10
18/10
28/10
Дати
Тем
пература н
а в
ъзуха T
, °C
0
6
12
18
24
30
36
42
48
54
60
Вал
еж
и P
, m
m
P
Тav.d.
Тmax
Tmin
164 mm, p = 86%; 20.0 °C, p = 14 % 2011
-5.0
0.0
5.0
10.0
15.0
20.0
25.0
30.0
35.0
40.0
45.0
01/04
11/04
21/04
01/05
11/05
21/05
31/05
10/06
20/06
30/06
10/07
20/07
30/07
09/08
19/08
29/08
08/09
18/09
28/09
08/10
18/10
28/10
Дати
Те
мпе
ра
тура
на
въ
зуха
T,
°C
0
6
12
18
24
30
36
42
48
54
60
Вал
еж
и P
, m
m
P
Тav.d.
Тmax
Tmin
2012 222 mm, p = 66 %; 21.2 ºC, p = 1 %
-5
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
01/04
11/04
21/04
01/05
11/05
21/05
31/05
10/06
20/06
30/06
10/07
20/07
30/07
09/08
19/08
29/08
08/09
18/09
28/09
08/10
18/10
28/10
Дати
Те
мпе
ра
тура
на
въ
зуха
T,
°C
0
6
12
18
24
30
36
42
48
54
60В
ал
еж
и P
, m
mP
Тav.d.
Тmax
Tmin
2000 131 mm; p=95 % 21.0 °C; p=2 %
Our research team
Kouman Koumanov – Fruitgrowing Institute – meliorations, fruitgrowing technologies
Kolyo Kolev – Fruitgrowing Institute – fruitgrowing, training and pruning
Maria Ilieva - Fruitgrowing Institute – irrigation regime, fruitgrowing
Georgi Kornov – Fruitgrowing Institute – fruitgrowing
Irina Tsareva – Fruitgrowing Institute – agrochemistry, fertilization
Zarya Rankova – Fruitgrowing Institute – herbology, weed control
Veselin Arnaudov – Fruitgrowing Institute – entomology and phytopathology
Snezhana Milusheva – Fruitgrowing Institute – virology
Iliana Kozanova – Fruitgrowing Institute – toxicology, pesticide residues
Stefan Shilev – Agricultural University, Plovdiv – soil microbiology
Zhenya Ilieva – Institute of soil science, agrotechnologies and plant protection, Sofia – helmintology (nematodes)
Ilian Ivanov – Plovdiv University „Paisiy Hilendarski” – organic chemistry
Stoyanka Nikolova – Plovdiv University „Paisiy Hilendarski” – organic chemistry, pesticide residues
Dimitar Bozhilov – Plovdiv University „Paisiy Hilendarski” – Ph.D. student
Thank you