Ha Of Orchards Research Articles

Biological and economic features of the new apple variety Renet Povolzhya

Relevance. The Republic of Tatarstan is located in the zone of risky fruit growing. In winter, frosts below -35 °C, thaws are not uncommon here, in spring during flowering – frosts, in summer – hot and dry weather. During the growing season, diseases are widespread – scab, moniliosis, pests – flower beetles, aphids, codling moths. All these factors negatively affect the yield and quality of fruits of apple varieties. To increase the production of apple fruits in the Republic of Tatarstan, new high-yielding varieties of apple trees, adaptive to abiotic and biotic stressors, with fruits of good taste, high content of nutrients and biologically active substances, and long shelf life, are needed.Methods. The purpose of the research is the biological and economic evaluation of the new apple variety Renet Povolzhya in the conditions of the Republic of Tatarstan. Winter hardiness, productivity, yield, scab susceptibility of apple varieties, damage by aphids, fruit taste and economic efficiency were evaluated according to the methodology of the All-Russian Research Institute of Fruit Crop Breeding.Results. Average for 2019–2022 in the new apple variety Renet Povolzhya, the total degree of freezing was 1.3 points, flowering strength – 3 points, leaf damage by scab – 2.3 points, leaf damage by aphids – 2.6 points, productivity – 12.9 kg, yield – 5, 2 t/ha, fruit taste – 4.3 points, profit per 1 ha of orchard – 7.4 thousand rubles, profitability level – 10.5%. In the standard apple variety Antonovka ordinary, the total degree of freezing was 1.3 points, flowering strength – 2.6 points, leaf damage by scab – 2.3 points, leaf damage by aphids – 2.9 points, productivity – 10.3 kg, yield – 4.1 t/ha, fruit taste – 3.9 points.

The Role of Windbreaks in Attracting the Useful Avifauna – Case Study: Moara Domnească Didactic Farm

“Moara Domnească” is a didactic farm belonging to the University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest. Moara Domnească has an area of 520 ha, of which 65 ha of orchard. The orchard, but also a major part of the farm has a wind protection system consisting of windbreaks planted in 1920’s with English Oak (Quercus robur), Ash (Fraxinus excelsior), Norway Maple (Acer platanoides), and other species of shrubs from the spontaneous flora. Since 1860, Romania has become one of the first countries in the world to have developed forest windbreaks and shelterbelt. Both the establishment of windbreaks and scientific research have been specifically designed to limit the negative effects of the extreme continental climate. Even the windbreaks benefits are multiple and clear, their extension was limited in many areas where are extremely needed. Based on the ornithological observations carried out between 2015-2016, we found out that the forest windbreak plays an extremely important role on the orchard ecosystem, influencing positively the life of wild birds that find food, shelter and nesting places throughout the year.

Assessment methods for sustainable tourism declarations: the case of holiday farms

Farm-based tourism has a long tradition in Europe. Using farms to host tourists has become more widely seen as an effective means of supporting local economies and contributing to the preservation of landscapes and cultural heritage in the countryside. Furthermore, farm-based tourism is considered one of the most environmentally sustainable activities among touristic options. Nevertheless, the environmental sustainability of holiday farms still must be assessed. No applications of an environmental assessment method to touristic farms can be found in the literature. The only reference for such application is the PCR (Product Category Rule) basic module on “Accommodation, food and beverage services” developed for the Environmental Product Declaration system®. This document can be used as a reference for declarations for several hosting structures or catering services, nevertheless the performance of this module on touristic farms has not been validated yet.This study therefore aims to discuss and give practical recommendations when the PCR on accommodations is used for holiday farms thorough an actual case study in Northern Italy.The farm adopted as case study covers 15 ha of orchards managed according to the organic production protocol. In order to precisely evaluate the farm, the performance of three functional units was tested applying a full Life Cycle Assessment, in accordance with the guidelines and requirements of the ISO 14040. Among other impact categories, the global warming potential of the whole farm in 2011 is 112 tCO2 eq, which corresponds to 232 kg CO2 eq/(guest ∗ night) and 3.32 kg CO2 eq/€. Considering the services in the farm, 81% of the global warming potential is related to the breakfast service, 2% to the room services and the remaining 18% to the agricultural parts of the system.The results allow us to highlight general key aspects to be considered for the definition of product category rules for such activity including the importance of the choice of the modelling approach, the system boundaries and the functional unit.

Environmental sustainability of traditional foods: the case of ancient apple cultivars in Northern Italy assessed by multifunctional LCA

Abstract The marketing strategy for traditional food products is often based around their strong connection with their production region and claims of a lower environmental impact due to being grown in the agricultural area for which they were selected. Such traditional foods often comprise ancient cultivars that are unsuitable for large-scale distribution, but generally require less agricultural inputs. However, specific environmental evaluations of ancient cultivars in comparison with commercial cultivars are very rare. This study investigated ancient apple cultivars in Piemonte (Northern Italy) as a case study of traditional food in the framework of sustainable food production. The production of three representative apple cultivars, Grigia di Torriana, Magnana and Runse, from Torino and Cuneo provinces was investigated using LCA methodology. In particular, the environmental impacts of these cultivars were compared with those of the commercial cultivar Golden Delicious. The study was performed in accordance with ISO 14040 standards, using the cradle-to-gate approach and the EDIP assessment method. Three different functional units were considered: the production of 1 t of fruit, the growth of 1 ha of orchard, and the earning of €1000 income by the grower. Considering impacts per tonne of product, Golden Delicious had the best environmental performance in most impact categories investigated. However, considering impacts per hectare and €1000 income, the ancient cultivars had the best environmental performance in almost all impact categories. As the impacts of fruit production depended heavily on the functional unit chosen, it is not possible to directly recommend which cultivar should be grown to increase the environmental sustainability. However, the results obtained regarding environmental efficiency and sustainability could be included together with other parameters to make a systemic assessment of different cultivars, which could be useful for policymakers, growers and other stakeholders.

Incidence of Plum Pox Virus in Romanian Plum Orchards

Sharka caused by Plum pox virus (PPV) is the most detrimental viral pathogen of stone fruits. Plum pox virus was identified on the Romanian territory in 1922 by Traian Savulescu, but systematic research on the disease only started in the 1960’s (Minoiu, 1997). Presently, in Romania PPV is spread in all plum growing areas and became one of the significant limiting factors for a profitable plum growing. Romanian fruit crops (stone and pome fruits) include about 158 000 ha of orchards. Stone fruit species cover 87 000 ha (55 %). The plum is the dominant fruit specie in Romania, covering approximately 75 000 ha (48 %) (FAO 2008) and hence is of great economic importance.

Walnut (Juglans regia L.) selection in Serbia

The domestic population of walnut (<I>Juglans regia</I> L.) in Serbia is highly heterogeneous as a result of many centuries of propagation from seed. This paper describes variation observed in this population over the past four decades. The date of budbreak showed a 50-day range, and the date of leaf drop a 32-day range. Average nut weight ranged from 3.3 g to 29.0 g and the kernel percentage from 26.2% to 64.3%. The number of female flowers per inflorescence ranged from 1 to 32 and the number of nuts per cluster from 1 to 15. The majority of Serbian walnut seedlings had inferior traits, although a few genotypes with excellent traits were also found. Five superior selections have been released as cultivars, and additional selections await official release. To date, over 1,000 ha of orchards have been planted in Serbia using these walnut cultivars and selections.

Plant Genetic Resources and Scientific Activities of the Uzbek Research Institute of Plant Industry

The Uzbek Research Institute of Plant Industry, located in Tashkent Province of the Republic of Uzbekistan, was established in 1924 by the renowned Russian plant collector and geneticist Nikolai I. Vavilov (1887–1943). As director of the extensive Leningrad Institute of Applied Botany, Plant Genetics, and Breeding, Vavilov recognized that Central Asia was an important center of origin of many crop species and subsequently developed the Central Asian Branch of the institute. Since then, Academician Nikolai I. Vavilov, Konstantin I. Pangalo, Galina M. Popova, Pavel A. Baranov, Alexander M. Negrul, Yakov F. Katc, Klavdiya F. Kostina, Nikolai V. Kovalev, and many others have organized an expansive worldwide collection of tree fruits, grapes (Vitis vinifera L.), melons (Cucumis melo L.), vegetables, forage, and fiber crops at the institute. In addition to germplasm collection, the institute has conducted evaluations, breeding, and research of wheat (Triticum spp.), cotton (Gossypium spp.), maize (Zea mays L.), melons, and grapes, as well as other promising food, forage, and fiber crops. The main goals of the early institute were the collection and storage of seeds, the evaluation of plant genetic resources from around the world under the various climatic zones of Uzbekistan (Fig. 1), the organization of seed production, and the development of improved agricultural practices for the region. In the 1970s, under the leadership of Academician Mirza Ali V. Mukhamedjanov, the institute’s role within the academic system of the former Soviet Union was expanded. The institute’s scientists trained graduate students that went on to earn advanced degrees from recognized research institutes and universities within Uzbekistan and other Commonwealth of Independent States countries. Since the institute was organized, eighty-five graduate students successfully defended PhD dissertations and were granted degrees in the field of plant breeding and genetic resources. While serving as director, Mukhamedjanov also made many important contributions to the genetic resource holdings of the institute and Currently, the main goals of the institute are to 1) enrich the existing germplasm holdings by executing collection expeditions of endangered, cultivated, and wild plant species; 2) maintain the longevity of the existing collection by seed viability testing and periodic seed increases; 3) develop and implement strategies for midand long-term storage of plant germplasm; 4) undergo reciprocal exchange of plant germplasm with research institutes, germplasm repositories, and government agencies worldwide; 5) successfully quarantine seeds and clonal materials undergoing testing for infestation with potentially threatening agents; 6) efficiently and effectively evaluate germplasm to identify and further test accessions showing agricultural promise; 7) develop and maintain a database of all accessions that includes key descriptors, such as collection site and performance parameters along with preliminary recommendations to breeding programs flourished during his time. In 1992 the institute was renamed to its current title, the Uzbek Research Institute of Plant Industry (UzRIPI), after Uzbekistan became an independent country (see Table 1 for a chronology of the institute’s names). At present, UzRIPI occupies 140 ha of arable land, including 74 ha of orchards with the remainder used for grain, melon, and vegetable crop research. UzRIPI also oversees experiment stations in Andijon (Farghona Valley) and Surkhondaryo provinces where they conduct evaluations of cultivars and other plant populations under different climatic conditions (Fig. 1). UzRIPI houses the following departments and support laboratories: Plant Introduction; Field Crops; Industrial Crops; Vegetables, Melons, and Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.); Fruits, Berries, and Grapes; Biochemistry; Seed Biology; and Plant Germplasm Resources Database Management.

Predicted and measured levels of azinphosmethyl in the Lourens River, South Africa: Comparison of runoff and spray drift

Runoff and spray drift are important sources of nonpoint pesticide pollution in surface waters, but few studies have directly compared these routes of input in an exposure assessment scenario. To this end, a runoff formula suggested by the Organization for Economic and Cooperative Development (Paris, France) and basic drift values (95th percentiles) were integrated into a geographical information system (GIS) to predict runoff and spray drift-related loading of azinphosmethyl (AZP) in the Lourens River (LR), South Africa. The GIS-integrated calculations were first validated in the tributaries of the river, where measured loads were well predicted for both runoff (r(20 = 0.95; p < 0.0001; n = 9) and spray drift (r(2) = 0.96; p = 0.0006; n = 8). Through extrapolation to the catchment scale containing 400 ha of orchards, the GIS-integrated calculations predicted similar loads of AZP as measured in the Lourens River mainstream for six runoff (between a factor of 1.03 and 1.86 lower) and six spray drift (between a factor of 1.1 and 2.4 higher) events. Mean measured loads per event were significantly (p = 0.004) higher for runoff (27.8 +/- 19.1 g) than for spray drift (0.69 +/- 0.32 g). Based on long-term meteorological data and average application regimes, runoff leads to a higher annual load (47.6 g) than spray drift (5.5 g) in the Lourens River. Runoff is clearly a more important source of nonpoint pollution in the studied catchment, and mitigation strategies should focus first on addressing this aspect on a catchment scale and second on addressing problem areas on a subcatchment scale.

HORTICULTURAL FAMILY FARMS PROFITABILITY

Contemporary development of the Croatian horticultural production is affected by numerous changes - social, political and economic. The fruit and vegetables production in Croatia mostly takes place at the family farms and it has been, considering a long-term period, decreasing since early eighties, and particularly during the war years (1991-1995). Presently, the family farms grow vegetables on about 115, 000 ha, which is 10.8% of total available arable land and gardens within these farms ; in the former socially-owned enterprises only 1, 000 ha is under vegetables. The orchards owned by family farms currently encompass about 64, 000 ha, which is 3.1% of total arable land owned by the family farms ; the former socially-owned enterprises have only 3, 000 ha of orchards. The fruit and vegetables production level is currently comparatively low (both total production and yield). However, the family farming has recently been undergoing certain polarization because the so called viable which are market-oriented and specialized, some of them incorporated as companies, are gaining strength. During the recent years, a number of family farms undertook intensified production of fruit and vegetables on larger production surfaces in order to change the production structure and increase its cost-efficiency. The increased interest in production of vegetables resulted in establishment of the so called farms, and in growing primarily apple and pear plantations in vegetable-growing and fruit-growing sectors, respectively. The Preliminary Results of Farm Survey in Croatia shows that the family farms under the actual conditions have total income of USD 10, 066 in vegetable production and USD 2, 666.6 in fruit production, on overage. In total households income, the total agricultural income makes about 66% in the vegetable production and only 30% on farms growing fruit. Average profitability of the family measured through the relation between the agricultural income and value of agricultural resources, is low. Reason lies with a relatively low value of the resources. The best results are achieved by the smaller while the larger farms (measured by use of arable land) are at the bottom.

L'évolution récente des cultures fruitières en Thaïlande (Thaï fruit cultivation recent changes)

Abstract. - Thailand grows fruits from unmemorable times but, since about two decades, this cultivation is taking a great development in export markets. A large variety of fruits is produced on around 500 000 ha of orchards for the whole country and fresh fruits exports are steadily gaining ground since 1981. Fruit cultivation and fresh fruits exports still have many problems to deal with, but the prospects for future growth are very promising.

Spatial Dispersion and Sampling of Campylomma verbasci (Heteroptera: Miridae) on Apple

The spatial dispersion of Campylomma verbasci (Meyer) on apple was determined in 166 sets of limb-tap samples from 11 commercial and 4 research orchards. The data were compared for fit to the Poissonand negative binomial distributions and described using Iwao's regression technique and Taylor's power law. C. verbasci was moderately aggregated on apple; the basic components of the population were groups of nymphs or single adults. Taylor's coefficients, a = 1.686 and b = 1.284, were used as a basis for sampling, and optimal sample sizes of 47, 29, and 19 taps per 0.5 ha of orchard were calculated for densities of 1, 2, and 4 nymphs per tap, respectively. A fixed precision level sampling plan and a sequential decision plan were developed for rapid estimation of population densities within apple orchards.