New plum trees planted

In order to further focus stone fruit research, FRC recently planted a new plum orchard next to the cherry trees. The new orchard focuses on different planting systems, with special attention to labour savings in pruning and harvesting. This is particularly relevant given the sharp rise in labour costs in fruit growing. A variety of systems have been chosen, including drapeau/sloping planting, two-row planting and the standard spindle. In addition, the extent to which (partially) mechanical pruning can be applied within these systems is being investigated. More compact trees can contribute to a more efficient harvest. Over the coming years, production, fruit size, number of harvests and fruit quality will be closely monitored. A distinction has also been made within the plantation between rootstocks with different growth rates, in order to gain insight into their influence on tree development and production.

The plot has also been set up for crop protection research, in which practical solutions are being tested. A small part of the plantation is used for variety comparison, to gain insight into the performance and future value of different plum varieties. With this research, FRC aims to have a beautiful plot for research, with a clear picture of which system and which combination of variety and rootstock is most future-proof for efficient and profitable plum cultivation.