and concluded that, at present, the single-row system is preferred 

 in the Netherlands. Multi-row plantings account for only II of the 

 acreage in commercial orchards. 



Trend in the 1970 's 



The most recent development with intensifica 

 field planting (Fig. 5). In such a planting, pes 

 plied through a sprinkle irrigation system, and o 



Fig. 5. A full-field planting of 'Melrose' ccpple trees on 

 M.9 at the spacing of 0.80 meters by 1.50 meters. Trees 

 planted in the spring of 1972; photograph taken in Oatobery 

 1974. Sprinklers operating merely to show hoa pesticides 

 are applied. 



Table 3. Yield of two apple varieties in single row and 



plantings at Wilhelminadorp Research Station. 

 planted in 1972. 



tion is the full- 

 ticides are ap- 

 ther cultural prac- 

 tices with an 

 over-the-row 

 tractor. Yields 

 of 1000 bushels 

 per acre can be 

 obtained on 3- 

 year-old trees 

 (Table 3) but 

 the investment 

 per acre is high 

 and harvest is 

 a problem unless 

 a mechanical 

 harvester can 

 be developed. 

 However, sever- 

 al full-field 

 plantings have 

 been established 

 on a commercial 

 basis . 



full-field 

 Trees 



Planting 

 system 



Trees per 

 acre 



Yield per acre 

 TT. Delicious 



(40-lb bushel) 



1973 



1974 



Karmyn 

 1973 1974 



Single row 



800 

 1600 



75 

 190 



238 

 420 



103 

 238 



352 

 576 



Full-field 



1600 

 3200 



206 

 396 



372 

 1061 



222 

 523 



436 

 1204 



"Tree number was reduced 10% when figuring yields to allow for work- 

 ing space in planting. 



