Protected cultivation of apricot in Liaoning province, China

Abstract

With economic development and changes in lifestyle, demands for fruit quality, safety, diversity, and health care are increasing significantly. Seasonal fruits are insufficient to meet the needs of consumers. Therefore, fruit production in the slack season is gaining increasing attention. At present, protected cultivation of fruit in Liaoning province, covering an area of 30,000 ha, with an annual output of 550,000 t, gives priority to strawberry, grapes, and peach. In addition, it is supplemented by plum, apricot, sweet cherry, and blueberry. Distinct features, including regional advantage and strong core competitiveness, have provided great development potential for protected cultivation of fruits. Protected cultivation of fruits has become a new growth spot in efficient fruit production in Liaoning province. Protected cultivation of fruit was developed early in Liaoning province. Related research work has made significant progress and laid the foundation for industrial development. However, some problems persist, such as non-standardized operation, production instability, poor quality, and uneven benefits, which restrict the development of protected cultivation of fruits. In order to guarantee and improve the economic benefits and broad market prospects of protected apricot cultivation, suitable apricot cultivars and related techniques need to be developed with the ultimate aim of promoting health development in protected cultivation of apricot. Two apricot cultivars, 'Guozhixian' and 'Moorpark', were introduced in the present study, with a set of cultivation techniques including early setting, planting, water and nutrient management, flower and fruit management, training and pruning, plant disease and insect pest management and control, and control of environmental conditions, such as temperature, humidity, illumination, and CO(2) density.