Evaluation of different pruning solutions in a hedge almond orchard of ‘Soleta’ variety

Abstract

The success of the super high density (SHD) system on olive production has been extended to almond orchards, where it is necessary to ensure adequate canopy dimensions for over-the-row harvesting machines. In an almond orchard from Soleta cultivar planted in September 2014 at Herdade da Torre das Figueiras in Monforte, Portalegre, Portugal (39º 04’ N, 07º 29’W), a trial to evaluate different pruning solutions was established. Four treatments (T0, T1, T2, T3) were compared: T0 (farmer pruning) - summer pruning (mechanical pruning in 2018 and 2019, post-harvest pruning (mechanical pruning in 2017) and winter pruning (manual pruning in 2018 and mechanical pruning followed by manual pruning in 2017); T1- no pruning interventions in 2017 and manual pruning in 2018 and 2019; T2 - involving post-harvest pruning (mechanical pruning in 2017, 2018 and 2019), and T3 - summer pruning (mechanical pruning in  2018 and 2019) and post-harvest pruning (mechanical pruning in 2017). In 2018, manual winter pruning was carried out in the treatments mechanically pruned. Significant differences were registered in harvested kernel almond yield between years (2017-2019). In 2018, there were significant differences between treatments, with T0 recording a significantly lower almond kernel production harvested than those obtained by T2. However, in the average of 3 years, there were no significant differences between treatments.