<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p> Eleven plum cultivars (<italic>Prunus domestica </italic>L.<italic>) </italic>for processing grafted on semidwarf rootstock ‘Wangenheim Prune’ and vigorous rootstock ‘Myrobalan’ were densely planted (1000, 1250, 1666, 2500 trees ha-1) and trained to central leader spindle tree. A new training system was applied to obtain trees suitable for mechanical harvesting. The leader was not headed after planting and summer training procedures were performed in May/June. From the third year onwards, renewal pruning was carried out after fruit harvesting. The new training and pruning systems resulted in very fast tree growth, abundant branching, fruit bud formation on young wood and early bearing. The plum trees appeared to be suitable for hand and mechanical harvesting within 3 years from planting. The self propelled straddle combine harvester was able to harvest 2-3 tons of plums per hour compared to 30 kg with hand picking. Harvesting effectiveness was 90-95%. The quality of mechanically harvested plums was a little worse than of those hand picked, but fruits were suitable for processing. The ‘Common Prune’ and the prune type small plums were the most suitable fruit for mechanical harvesting.</p></abstract>

Eleven plum cultivars (Prunus domestica L.) for processing grafted on semidwarf rootstock ‘Wangenheim Prune’ and vigorous rootstock ‘Myrobalan’ were densely planted (1000, 1250, 1666, 2500 trees ha-1) and trained to central leader spindle tree. A new training system was applied to obtain trees suitable for mechanical harvesting. The leader was not headed after planting and summer training procedures were performed in May/June. From the third year onwards, renewal pruning was carried out after fruit harvesting. The new training and pruning systems resulted in very fast tree growth, abundant branching, fruit bud formation on young wood and early bearing. The plum trees appeared to be suitable for hand and mechanical harvesting within 3 years from planting. The self propelled straddle combine harvester was able to harvest 2-3 tons of plums per hour compared to 30 kg with hand picking. Harvesting effectiveness was 90-95%. The quality of mechanically harvested plums was a little worse than of those hand picked, but fruits were suitable for processing. The ‘Common Prune’ and the prune type small plums were the most suitable fruit for mechanical harvesting.

Mechanical harvesting of plums for processing with a continuously moving combine harvester

Research Institute of Horticulture, Pomology Department Pomologiczna 18, 96-100 Skierniewice, POLAND

Journal of Fruit and Ornamental Plant Research

Eleven plum cultivars (Prunus domestica L.) for processing grafted on semidwarf rootstock ‘Wangenheim Prune’ and vigorous rootstock ‘Myrobalan’ were densely...

Mechanical harvesting of plums for processing with a continuously moving combine harvester

Published Online: Oct 31, 2012

Page range: 29 - 42

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/v10290-012-0003-y

Keywords
plums (Prunus domestica L.), training, pruning, canopy structure, fruiting biology

This content is open access.

Mechanical harvesting of plums for processing with a continuously moving combine harvester

Published Online: Oct 31, 2012

Page range: 29 - 42

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/v10290-012-0003-y

Keywordsplums (Prunus domestica L.), training, pruning, canopy structure, fruiting biology

This content is open access.

Keywords
plums (Prunus domestica L.), training, pruning, canopy structure, fruiting biology