RESEARCH & EVENTS
Single block plantings the focus of new ACE trial
MORE than 2,700 self-fertile almond trees have just been planted at the Almond Centre of Excellence( ACE) for a new trial being run by the Almond Board of Australia( ABA). The 5.72-hectare site, will demonstrate the benefits and cost efficiencies possible by planting self-fertile almond varieties in single blocks, as opposed to the traditional plantings with alternating rows of pollinators and Nonpareil. Assessments will be made on a range of parameters and production traits, including nut set, production and yield efficiencies, nutrient and water uptake and orchard uniformity. Five consecutive rows of Carina, Mira, Vela, Independence, Shasta, Pyrenees and Aurora B have been planted on Nemaguard rootstock. Two observational rows of Yorizane have also been included, this ensures that all self-fertile varieties currently available in Australia are now planted at the ACE orchard. The trees are planted at Horizon 2 density, a spacing of 6.5m between rows and 3m between trees. Insect exclusion nets will be installed before flowering to prevent cross pollination and provide the opportunity to measure the ability of each flower to set fruit using its own pollen or pollen from flowers on the same tree and without insect assistance. This will provide a useful baseline of pollination potential for commercially available self-fertile varieties. Initially all varieties will receive the same water, fertiliser and pruning. However, each variety will have its own irrigation valve so that in the future irrigation and fertiliser management practices can be tailored to suit each variety as more knowledge is gained during the trial.
ABA Industry Development Officer Peter Jealous amongst the recently planted selffertile trees.
As part of the project the ABA will develop case studies featuring almond growers with single block plantings and it’ s hoped this will help build a set of guidelines for their management in different regions. If you would like to participate please contact ABA Industry Development Officer Peter
Jealous on 0488 101 533. This project, Evaluating single variety block plantings for Australian almond growers( AL22000) is funded by Hort Innovation using grower levies and contributions from the Australian Government. For more on the project, watch our video online here.
industry. australianalmonds. com. au
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