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Implementation Of Intensive Production System For Cherry In China

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Implementation Of Intensive Production System For Cherry In China Cherry consumption has been increasing in China due to the growing demand for healthy nutritious foods and the health benefits of cherry. The fruit is rich in anthocyanins, plant pigments, and its antioxidant capacity counteracts the development of a number of cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, Alzheimer’s disease, while its high melatonin content improves sleep.

Cherries are mostly imported (Chile, USA) to China, despite the fact that the agroecological conditions of the country’s northern provinces are suitable for growing cherries, which could replace a significant portion of imports. For the Chinese growers and farmers cherry provides revenue for the first half of the season (April to June), which on the one hand helps balance revenue and income during

the year and on the other hand provides high profit, five times more than apple. The price of cherries reaches 100-200 yuans per kilogram during the early season and does not fall below 30-50 yuans in the main season, which is a guarantee of profit.

Why do we recommend the Hungarian technology?

The research and development of cherry cultivation in Hungary has achieved results that allow for the design and development of world class hightech technology today. Part of this design and development is the excellent variety assortment providing long enough ripening season, the mahaleb cherry rootstocks adaptable to high calcareous and alkaline ( pH 7.5-8.5 ) soils, as well as the training system enabling advanced cultivation technology with short fruit trees which can be picked by hand from the ground and have a fruit size of premium quality ( 28-32 mm). This system is well adapt-

able to China: thanks to the twenty-year professional activity of our staff, it has been successfully introduced in Shaanxi Province and today exist around 3000 hectares of intensive plantations yielding 1525 tons of fruit per hectare.

STAVRON recommends this complex cultivation system for implementation for STAVRON’s future Chinese partners. STAVRON joins and organizes the best Hungarian experts of intensive cherry cultivation and all those Hungarian companies that have achieved leading-edge results in this area. As a result, we can offer the knowledge, experience which is necessary in the design, establishment and operation of such plantations, and the co-operating Hungarian partner companies are able to supply seedlings, varieties and rootstocks required for the plantations and all elements of the production technology from the establishment of plantations to fruit harvesting and fruit prepara-

tion for the market. Through the establishment of co-operation and acquisition of the production system, the Hungarian partner ensures that, based on this, such an intensive, early fruit bearing, high yield, high quality fruit crop orchard can be designed, developed and sustained in China, that surpasses all business expectations.

Production System Components Selection of varieties The primary consideration during selection, adaptation of varieties is large fruit size (>30 mm), firm and crisp texture, and early fruit bearing capacity (within 3-4 years), high-yielding individual trees – planting and crown shaping. The production system uses a set of cultivars of high-value fruit crop, set in a ripening order - 1.5-2 month maturing series - may throughout the entire ripening season (es-

pecially under Chinese conditions) continuously supply the market with high quality cherries.

The production system is proven to be applying more than 30 cultivars. Among these, varieties cultivated in Europe and America in large proportions can be found, in addition to the excellent Hungarian bred varieties. Varieties are chosen for production mainly according to large fruit size (28-32mm), bright red or dark red fruit colors and yield of 10-20 kgs / tree depending on the crown shape. Good transportability and shelf-life is also an important aspect.

Selection of rootstocks and propagation material production (grafts)

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mportant element of the production system is the selection and adaptation of the appropriate intensive rootstocks. Rootstocks provide the root for the trees and ensures contact with the soil, thus having an important role in the water and nutrient uptake. The experience to date shows that the use of medium growth rootstocks is advantageous in intensive plantations.

The Hungarian mahaleb cherry rootstocks recommended in the cultivation system are adapting well to the alkaline (pH 8-8.5) soils, which are a charecteristic of China, high calcareous content of the soil and are not sensitive to the crown gall disease (Agrobacterium). In addition, their high water and nutrient absorption capacity assures that trees on such rootstocks do not suffer from iron deficiency (chlorosis) and produce large fruit.

As part of the collaboration to be established, the Hungarian party is willing to provide and train the use of the propagae nursery technology which produces trees required for the plantation. In the frame of a collaboration, the Hungarian party is willing to produce rootstocks and grafts suitable for the agroecological conditions in China, and later to transfer these knowledge/skills with proper training. In addition, STAVRON’s Hungarian partner nurseries offer for delivery rootstock seedlings, scions and grafts for the Chinese party.

Fruit crop regulation

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ruit crop regulation is another important part of the technology that covers, among others, the regulation of flowering and fertilization, and related to this, the variety assortments within the plantation. The solutions include the use of bees for pollination, as one of the important factors in securing regular, high-value harvest.

Cherry training systems and pruning The major parts of the technology are the cherry training systems and pruning. The intensive cherry production system, depending on the crown shaping, has a high density, up to 3000 trees per hectare. The row spacing of 4-5 meters, and tree spacing of 1-2 meters, ensures high productivity and easy cultivation and plant protection. Special expertise required in tree pruning, crown shaping and several other procedures in addition to pruning, which are important elements in the control of tree growth.

These methods can be taught by the Hungarian party in the form of a cooperation as well.

Nutrient supply In order to secure regular and high-quality fruit crops, a balanced nutrient supply must be ensured in the plantations. This is preceded by professional soil and plant analysis. Based on these results, the system applies such a method for nutrient supply, which takes into account the shorter, more intense cycle of nutrient uptake of cherry compared to other fruit species due to its early ripening, and assures the appropriate timing and amount of nutrient supply tailored to its dynamics of nutritional uptake. This can be achieved by combining drip irrigation and foliage fertilization methods to provide the required macro and micro elements for the trees.

Irrigation

Harvesting and processing

he importance of moisture supply has to be emphasized in the production of large quantities of cherry, especially under the recommended intensive production system. Proper irrigation ensures regular and high quality yield. In intensive cherry production system the effective water-saving irrigation method to be applied is determined based on soil and climate conditions, as well as the target production.

The last element of the system is fruit harve st ing a nd p ro ce ssing. Fo r t he p ur p os e of fresh consumption, the perfect quality of the cherry fruit is at 90% of ripening. Fruit is picked by hand. Manual harvesting ensures t h e p re s e r v a t i o n o f f r u i t q u a l i t y a n d a l s o serves as a preparation for the professional fruit crop processing. The harvested fruit must be immediately refrigerated (+2 o C), sorted (according to color and size) and packaged.

Applying this system, such fruit crops can be produced, that can be sold in every market and at the same time provides high income.

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Plant protection Elements of the system include plant protection for cherry which covers measures to be taken to protect against pests and diseases. We recommend the use and adaptation of proper forecasting and modern plant protect i o n m etho ds and plan t protec t i on prod uc t s (adaptation of integrated production technology).

Training and Consulting Besides the adaption of the system, STAVRON undertakes to provide the solutions, methods and knowledge applied in intensive integrated cherry production system in the form of technical training. For Chinese professionals, we organize training.

For Chinese professionals, we organize training courses in China as needed, or arrange professional study tours in Hungary. STAVRON is willing to provide regular on-site technical consulting for our customers.

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