TECHNICAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF HIGH DENSITY PLANTATIONS IN THE SOUTH TYROL

Following the overproduction of apples in Europe in the mid-sixties, fruit growers in the South Tyrol tried to lower production costs by intensifying new plantings. Since 1968, when the first high density plantings were established in the South Tyrol about 6000 ha have been planted. Intensive systems on M.9 have given early, high and regular yields of high quality fruit with lower production costs than older systems. Intensive systems have, however, brought their own problems. Single wooden poles showed durability problems, some orchards have too strong or too weak central leaders, and with the North Holland three row system there have been difficulties with weed control and poor fruit size and colour in the middle row. In the future only minor corrections are envisaged, with a preference for single row systems and reduced inputs of chemical sprays.