TECHNICAL
2D systems – Tree training and canopy development 2D tree canopies are formal upright systems usually comprised of eight horizontal fruiting wires. Tree branches are trained to grow along these wires, creating a formal ‘fruiting wall’. By Sarah de Bruin : AgFirst The canopy design runs down a single plane resulting in a narrow canopy, less than 40cm thick. As the depth of the 2D canopy is reduced, there is less internal canopy shade in comparison to the more common, tall spindle planting style. A 2D canopy system lends itself to consistent, high coloured fruit due to the uniform interception of available light. Blush is present on fruit from the top to the bottom of the canopy, meaning fruit is able to be harvested in two picks rather than three. In order to achieve consistency, the canopy must be managed as a segmented system. The trees are managed at an individual branch level, narrowing the focus to one section of the wire at a time. In a 2D canopy, yield is limited by the number of wires in the system. Therefore, as there are no extra branches, every wire needs to be filled to achieve the maximum yield potential. This shifts the focus from tree height to horizontal metres. Optimising the light environment and selecting the best fruiting wood to form these horizontal metres is key for success. To achieve the ideal light environment and the well distributed blush this canopy promises, regular and welltimed tree training must take place. A ‘little and often’
approach to branch manipulation throughout the season is needed, rather than the few bigger tree training requirements of a tall spindle structure. This more regular approach in a formal system requires approximately 15% more labour to set up in the initial years compared to a tall spindle canopy. On-orchard decisions about labour availability and time allocation for regular tree training must occur throughout the growing season. This additional cost of initial tree training is soon recovered. The narrow and consistent nature of the 2D system allows for labour efficiencies to be made during the thinning and harvest periods. This canopy is also better prepared for automation and robotics as the reduced canopy depth means it is accessible from both sides. Getting the canopy set up correctly from the start allows for these efficiencies to be realised.
To achieve the ideal light environment and the well distributed blush this canopy promises, regular and welltimed tree training must take place
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L.E. Cooke Nurseryman Ltd Proudly serving the fruit industry for 65 years
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The ORCHARDIST : OCTOBER 2021 65
