In Central Otago, New Zealand, a revolutionary orchard planting system developed by Plant and Food Research is showing promising results for fruit growers. The 'Future Orchard Planting System' introduces a two-dimensional structure for pipfruit and summerfruit orchards, significantly enhancing light penetration and fruit quality.
Dr. Jill Stanley, a senior scientist, highlights the system's success in cherry and apricot orchards and its application to apple and pear varieties. This innovative approach, including the UFO growing system for cherries, optimizes canopy structure for automation and robotics, making fruit more accessible and doubling apple yields while increasing cherry yields by 50%. The system's compatibility with technology and potential for increased productivity is evident as it facilitates easier access for robots to assess and harvest fruit. With ongoing trials and field walkthroughs, the full impact of this planting system on fruit orchard efficiency and output is yet to be unveiled.
Source: rnz.co.nz