Title: INTENSIVE APPLE CULTIVATION TECHNOLOGY IN A 3.0 × 0.6 M SYSTEM

Authors:Franci Štampar, Jelena Tomić, Metka Hudina, Jerneja Jakopič

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Abstract: Apple technology has changed considerably over the last years. In 2018, we witnessed an above-average apple yield, which significantly reduced the price of apples. The apple producers who achieved large and high-quality yields were more or less able to cover the production costs that year, while other growers seriously began considering ceasing apple production. In practically all European countries, apple orchards have undergone an intensive process of shrinkage, and at the same time, production in existing orchards has been intensified. New apple training systems must accompany changes in society, particularly the workforce and the green ecology, and ultimately achieve large and high-quality yields that allow the grower to earn a normal income and continue their development. For this reason, fruit growers all over the world are introducing new planting and training systems based on new knowledge about apple growth and development. A detailed overview of a high-density planting system of 3.0 × 0.6 m will be presented, from planting in the first year to full fruiting in the third-fourth year, and up to the 15th year. The dense planting system is simple and does not require trained labour. Disease and pest control is more effective due to a narrow crown, which allows a more precise pesticide application. Controlling the growth of apple trees is easier, as higher exposure to light allows high and quality yields every year. To achieve these results, precise technological measures [land preparation, choice of cultivar and rootstock, timing and depth of planting, pruning after planting, fertilization through soil and leaves, fruit thinning, hormone control from 30 days after flowering to harvest, foliar treatments before (P, K, Mg, Zn, Si, Mn) and after (N, P, K, B) harvest for flower buds differentiation] should be conducted on time.

Key words: Malus domestica, yield, quality, training system

Title: JAPANESE QUINCE IN AN URBAN ENVIRONMENT: MECHANISMS OF PHENOLOGICAL RESPONSES IN THE FUNCTION OF PRESERVING ECOSYSTEM SERVICES AND SELECTION

Authors:Đurđa Petrov, Jelena Čukanović, Radenka Kolarov, Nevenka Galečić, Dejan Skočajić, Dragan Vujičić, Mirjana Ocokoljić

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Abstract: Comparative analysis of accumulated cold hours, sums of heat, and days per year for key phenological events and climate variables, during 18 consecutive years in New Belgrade, confirmed the influence of air temperature before and during phenophases, as well as of precipitation. An earlier start and a later end of the vegetation period were recorded. Our findings contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms of phenological responses given that Japanese quince fruits are commertial goods. The results are a useful platform for understanding possible changes in the structure of urban coenoses and interspecies relations aimed to define the principles of sustainable design that supports the aesthetics of the landscape, the preservation of the environment and habitats for birds and animals. The results will contribute to the development of adaptation measures for this fruit-growing species in conditions of climate change. Also, through plasticity in phenological responses to drought and high temperatures, the adaptability of Japanese quince at the individual level was confirmed, which affects the selection and preservation of urban ecosystem services.

Key words: phenological patterns, BBCH scale, urban ecosistems, climate change, adaptibility

Title: ANALYSIS OF THE EFFICIENCY OF WINTER PRUNING OF PLUMS IN MULTI LEADER TRAINING SYSTEMS

Authors:Miljan Cvetković, Jelisaveta Seka Cvijanović

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Abstract: The intensification of plum cultivation by introducing multi-leader training systems is based on unifying productive units within the canopy structure, simplifying pruning, and enabling mechanization of certain tasks such as pruning. The aim of this study is to analyze the efficiency of winter pruning in orchards with multileader training systems, specifically UFO and Bibaum. The spindle training system was used as a control. The study was conducted during the winter pruning season of 2023 on the ‘Empress’, ‘Stanley’ and ‘Čačanska Lepotica’ cultivars at the Experimental Educational Center of the Faculty of Agriculture in Banja Luka. The study analyzed the pomotechnical specifics of pruning in the UFO training system, the efficiency of winter pruning, and the amount of discarded material during pruning. The UFO system was better suited for cultivars that predominantly bear fruit on short fruiting wood, considering the reduced pruning volume. The time required for winter pruning was most influenced by the cultivar, followed by the training system. The effective time needed to prune one hectare of plums ranges from 1.7 days (‘Čačanska Lepotica’/Bibaum) to 6.9 days (‘Empress’/UFO). The quantity of discarded material during pruning is primarily influenced by the training system..

Key words: pomotechnics, fruiting wood, pruning speed

Title: POMOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF EARLY AND MID-EARLY SEASON NECTARINE CULTIVARS IN A VERY HIGH-DENSITY ORCHARD

Authors:Dragan Milatović, Đorđe Boškov, Gordan Zec, Aleksandar Radović, Nemanja Tešić, Milana Lazarević

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Abstract: The phenological characteristics, yield and fruit quality of 11 early and mid-early season nectarine cultivars were studied during the three-year period (2021–2023) in the Belgrade area. The training system in the experimental orchard is Sloping Leader, a new original system with a very high planting density (3.5 × 1 m or 2857 trees per hectare). The cultivar ‘Caldesi 2000ʼ was used as a control for comparison. Compared to the control cultivar, flowering started on average between 9 days earlier (‘Early Bombaʼ) and 2 days later (‘Maria Laura’). The average harvest time was between June 26 (‘Early Bombaʼ) and July 28 (‘Maria Martaʼ). The lowest average yield per tree (4.4 kg) was achieved with the cultivar ‘Early Bombaʼ, and the highest (10.8 kg) with the control cultivar, ‘Caldesi 2000ʼ. Compared to the control cultivar, a significantly lower yield was achieved with 8 cultivars. The average fruit weight was highest in the cultivar ‘Big Havenʼ (180.1 g) and lowest in the cultivar ‘Rita Starʼ (114.6 g). Compared to the control cultivar, the fruit weight was significantly lower in 7 cultivars. The soluble solids content ranged from 12.3% (‘Rita Starʼ) to 17.7% (‘Maria Lauraʼ), and the total acid content ranged from 0.59% (‘Big Bangʼ) to 1.07% (‘Caldesi 2000ʼ). The cultivars ‘Big Havenʼ, ‘Big Bangʼ, and ‘Amigaʼ achieved the highest scores for fruit appearance, and the cultivars ‛Big Haven’, and ‘Big Bangʼ for taste. Based on the results obtained, the cultivars ‘Big Havenʼ, ‘Big Bangʼ and ‘Amigaʼ, together with the control cultivar ‘Caldesi 2000ʼ, can be recommended for cultivation in the Belgrade region.

Key words: Prunus persica, flowering, maturation, yield, fruit quality

Title: Aromatic profiles of monovarietal raspberry Geists

Authors:Branko Popović, Aleksandar Leposavić, Radosav Cerović, Ninoslav Nikićević, Vele Tešević, Olga Mitrović, Aleksandra Korićanac

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Abstract: The paper presents the results of gas chromatography-flame ionization detection-mass spectrometry (GC-FID-MS) analysis of volatile substances that form the aromatic profiles of raspberry Geists produced from Serbia’s most common raspberry varieties (‘Willamette’, ‘Meeker’, and ‘Tulameen’). Considering that raspberry Geist is a spirit drink obtained by maceration of unfermented fruits in ethanol, followed by distillation of the obtained macerate, the compounds that dominate the aromatic complex of this alcoholic beverage are volatile compounds originating mainly from raspberry fruits. A total of 134 compounds were quantified, of which 112 in Geist from the cultivar ‘Willamette’, 76 in Geist from the cultivar ‘Meeker’, and 99 in Geist from the cultivar ‘Tulameen’. The identified compounds belonged to the classes of terpenoids, sesquiterpenoids, C13 norisoprenoids, ketones, aldehydes, alcohols, acetals, esters, acids, lactones, and others. Among the 60 compounds common to all 3 monovarietal Geists, 15 were represented in higher concentrations, especially (E)-β-ionone, α-ionone, 2-hexenal, and ethyl oleate.

Key words: ‘Willamette’,‘Meeker’,‘Tulameen’, spirit drinks, volatile compounds, GC-FID-MS