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The art of pruning according to Vitroplant

On 27th October, around 70 fruit growers from all over Sicily took part in the training and information day organised by Vitroplant Srl.

Vitroplant agent for Sicily Calogero Insalaca illustrated the results of a correct application of growing practices with a guided tour of a few companies, some of which the agronomist has been following himself for the past thirty years.


Theory and practice lesson held by agronomist Calogero Insalaca.

During the day, it was demonstrated how it is possible (as well as necessary) to improve productivity by following a few agronomic rules.

The main stone fruit orchards in Sicily are located between the Agrigento and Caltanissetta provinces. In addition to peaches, nectarines, cherries and apricots, other fruits such as almonds, table grapes, pomegranates, pistachios, persimmons etc. are also cultivated.


A peach orchard was used for a lesson on pruning

The agronomist held a theory and practical lesson on pruning in peach and apricot orchards near Castrofilippo (AG) and Delia (CL). He used trees of different ages to show the different approaches according to various life cycle stages. 

These territories are home to approximately 2,500 hectares of peach orchards and 500 hectares of apricot orchards generating a revenue of around €20,000 per hectare. But this figure could increase a lot by increasing grades which, in the case of peaches, often do not reach A and 2A.

CHART - Example of average prices for peaches and nectarines in the main Italian wholesale markets in 2017 
Fruit diameter 
Price in Euros
min. - max.
B0.45 - 0.50
A0.60- 0.70
2A0.75 - 0.85
3A0.90 - 1.00
4A1.00 - 1.20

Pruning must always determine a correct plant insulation and eliminate vegetative branches subtracting lymph to those producing fruit. This way, productivity can be improved by as much as 200%.



"It's no longer possible to improvise nowadays. The low profitability of an orchard is often caused by wrong choices. Varieties must be studied in depth before investing. In addition, the lack of workforce specialising in important agronomical practices such as pruning has a strong effect on the profits of a company."

Interview with agronomist Calogero Insalaca - Vitroplant


Pruning operations to be carried out every year on peach and apricot trees
Spring operations:
1) Fruitlet thinning (1st-15th May) and removal of shoots that are too vigorous, by hand as well if needed
2) Second operation (1st -15th June) to remove watersprouts from the top part of trees and thinning perfecting
3) Additional third operation if needed (1st- 15th July) to improve light in the medium-low part of trees 
Autumn-winter operations:
1) Big cut-downs between September and November
2) Finishing cuts between December and March


Insalaca shows well-executed pruning

The part dedicated to almonds was also well-attended. It is a profitable crop that does not produce perishable fruit, leading to huge advantages when it comes to commercialisation. Vitroplant varieties such as Tuono, Marinada, Lauranne and Vairo were illustrated as well as G.F. 677 and Garnem rootstocks.



There was also a presentation on pistachios and on the Vitroplant UCB1# rootstock which, as it leads to plants becoming productive earlier, is contributing to the newfound popularity of pistachio cultivation in Sicily. The increasing global demand for dried fruit is also behind it. In this context, Sicilian agriculture has unimaginable potential. 


The day ended with a convention entitled "Sustainable innovative fruit cultivation: increasing productivity as well as quality is possible and necessary"

"Thanks to the lengthy experience of field operators and Vitroplant's international dimension, choosing the right crop, variety and rootstocks can be much easier. A preliminary professional consultation avoids excessive risks, thus safeguarding profit."

Contacts:
Vitroplant Italia Srl Società Agricola

Via Loreto, 170
Cesena (FC)
Tel.: +39 0547 56711
Fax: +39 0547 56711
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.vitroplant.it
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