Intensive cherry production: why, how, whither

Kuman Koumanov, Irina Tsareva

Abstract: Today, it is generally agreed that the economical efficiency of the sweet cherry production can be improved solely by its intensification, which means smaller trees, denser orchards, early fruiting, higher yields, fruit quality, and lesser expenditure of labor, water, fertilizers and pesticides. Basic for the intensification are the dwarfing and productive rootstocks. However, the large-scale adoption of these rootstocks is impeded by the widespread opinion that they do not perform well in relatively dry conditions, on poor and light soils: cherry trees tend to overload, stunt and even die. The present paper objective is to oppose such a statement. The perusal of the available literature cogently shows, with no exceptions, that the inadequate results come after disregarding the extremely high requirements concerning pruning, water regime and mineral nutrition of the trees grown intensively. Modern equipment, high and multivalent grower qualification and strict execution of each operation are imperative. Microirrigation and fertigation are indispensable elements of the technology, and the fine tuning of irrigation and fertilization regimes, according to the ecological conditions, the stages of trees’ development, and the scion/rootstock combination, is a requisite. In order to scrutinize all elements of such a precise-agriculture technology, the research should be carried out by large groups of scientists with diverse expertise, complementing one another.

Keywords: cherry; dwarfing rootstocks; fertigation; microirrigation; pruning; stunt trees

Date published: 2017-07-07