Conversaziones, 1972

Abstract

CONVERSAZIONES were held this year on 4 May and 29 June. At thefirst conversazione twenty-four exhibits and a film were shown. Dr J. E. Jackson, Mr A. P. Preston and Mr J. W. Palmer of the East Mailing Research Station, Kent, arranged an exhibit on radiation reception and orchard design. Good orchard design involves maximizing light interception and hence potential yield and minimizing the proportion of the orchard canopy which is severely shaded and thus cannot produce good quality fruits but still adds to management costs. Conventional orchards attain high light interception very slowly. Mature, large hemispherical trees give excess within-tree shade which, as shown also by shading experiments, reduces fruit initiation, retention, size, dry matter content and colour. Computer model and orchard studies of light interception and distribution suggest that triangular section hedgerows or shallow horizontal cropping canopies are preferable. Control of individual tree size is critically important. Currently evolving hedgerow systems depend on dwarfing East Mailing root-stocks and possible future bed systems may be based on the new very dwarfing Mailing 27 stock.