Apple planting systems survey (1990)

Abstract

Statistics on apple growing have been collected in the past for specific purposes by MAF, the New Zealand Apple and Pear Marketing Board and other organisations. However, grower opinions have not been surveyed in recent years and a need for a survey which addressed both orchardstatistics and grower opinion was perceived in the area of apple planting systems. The first aim of the survey was to ascertain the present situation in terms of size of apple plantings, rootstocks, cultivars, training systems and tree densities. Secondly the survey sought to identify the reasons behind the growers' choice of planting system and any problems encountered in making decisions. Over the past two or three years there has been increasing concern and discussion within the apple industry about planting systems. Overseas, particularly in Northern Europe, the use of dwarfing rootstocks and closer planting has become increasingly common. One of the expected outcomes of this survey was to discover the reasons why New Zealand growers have not adopted innovations of intensive apple planting which have been successful overseas. It was envisaged that the results of the survey would be useful to growers, the Board, advisers, extension workers and researchers. It was intended that the survey would identify research needs in the area of apple planting systems and that information gained from the survey could be used as a basis for future research.