A research initiative at Teagasc’s Oak Park at Carlow in Ireland aims to boost apple production by exploring innovative training systems and rootstocks.
The Efficient Orchard 2024 project is focused on improving yield efficiency and enhancing fruit quality, offering Irish growers strategies tailored to the local climate. It aims to counter the fact that most of the apples in Ireland’s €131m market are imported, despite having a favourable climate.
Teagasc Research Officer Alberto Ramos Luz said that the project marks a pivotal advance for the apple industry in Ireland. “This initiative focuses on boosting production efficiency, improving fruit quality, and cutting labour costs by testing different training systems and rootstocks”, he explained. “The project’s main goal is to identify the best combinations for high yield efficiency and top-quality fruit, specifically tailored to the Irish climate”.
The project aims to evaluate the agronomic performance of 48 apple genotypes, including Alpigala, Story Inored, Inobi, Gala Buckeye, Elstar Red Flame, Elstar Elshof, and Wilton’s Star Red Jonaprince Select. These have been grafted onto a variety of rootstocks in the research orchard, including M9, M200 and the Geneva series. The different genotypes and rootstocks will be examined in conjunction with different training systems, such as tall spindle – giving high planting density and minimal pruning, V-trellis – giving improved light exposure, and innovative two-dimensional training systems.
A key objective is to gather preliminary data on the vegetative, reproductive, and physiological behaviour of apple trees under Irish conditions, added Alberto. “The study will closely monitor phenological development, vegetative growth, such as the trunk cross-sectional area, reproductive performance, for example yield and efficiency, and fruit quality properties such as size, weight, firmness, soluble solids, acidity and colour”, he said.
Although a full evaluation of the training systems would require at least 10 years to fully map, the project aims to generate essential insights that will provide a starting point for guiding future research and orchard management strategies. Understanding the behaviour of different apple genotypes under various training systems and rootstocks is essential for advancing apple production in Ireland. “The project’s main goal is to identify the best combinations for high yield efficiency and top-quality fruit, specifically tailored to the Irish climate,” Alberto said. “This project’s research outcomes will support the implementation of new orchard practices, informing future research to maximise yield efficiency and fruit quality. Ultimately, this will make apple production more attractive to Irish farmers by enhancing profitability and offering higher quality fruit to consumers.”
