PRODUCTION

OF APPLES
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APPLE PRODUCTION

1. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE APPLE ORCHARD

[Link].
The apple tree is a deciduous plant that is cultivated in areas with winters.
cold, they have currently expanded to temperate or tropical climate areas.
In tropical areas, two harvests can be obtained per year; the
Budding and flowering is achieved through defoliation.
Currently in Bolivia, the total estimated area of apple is
Bolivia has 495.0 hectares, which is very little compared to other countries.
The annual volume of apples reaches 3145.2 tons, a production that
it does not cover even 20% of local consumption.
The main apple producing departments are Chuquisaca and
Santa Cruz, followed by Cochabamba, Potosí and La Paz.
[Link] classification of the apple tree

Common name: Apple tree

Nombre científico: Malus doméstica
Order: Rosales
Family: Rosaceae
Gender: Apple

1.3. Morphology

1.3.1. Tree
The tree reaches a maximum of 10.
m tall and has a cup on
globe shape. The trunk is
right, usually reaching
from 2 to 2.5 m in height, the bark
it is smooth, ash green in color
about the branches and scaly and gray
curtain over the old parts of the
tree. It has an approximate lifespan
about 60-80 years old.

1.3.2. Root system

The root system is woody;
seed plants have one or
more pivoting roots, while
like those of stakes, air layering or
these stakes have several roots
around del trunk. The
root depth depends on the
type of rootstock and quality
from the ground.
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1.3.3. Hojas
The oval leaves, edges
serrated, with the light green beam,
double the length of the petiole,
with 4 - 8 alternating and well nerves
developed, with a length of
Approximately 4.13 cm.

1.3.4. Flowers
The flowers are big, they bloom
a few days before the leaves. They are
pale pink hermaphrodites
and sometimes white depending on
the variety and in number from 3 to 6
united. The flowering takes place at
late winter and beginnings of
spring, generally between July
y August although sun
especially sensitive to the
late winter frosts.

1.3.5. Fruit
The apple is a fleshy fruit. Apple fruit: Variety
(pomo); according to its shape it can be Royal Gala
flattened and/or rounded.
Both the shape and the color
the flavor of the fruits differs in one
broad range that depends on the
variety: the fruit called
golden presents a golden color
brilliant; Royal Gala has a
reddish skin and others like green
The maidens are green.

1.4. Components and nutritional properties of the Apple.

The apple is one of the most complete and enriching fruits.
diet. About 85% of its composition is water. Sugars, most of them
fructose (sugar from fruit) and in smaller proportion, glucose and sucrose from
rapid assimilation in the body. It is a discreet source of vitamin E or
tocopherol and provides a small amount of vitamin C. It is rich in fiber, improves
the intestinal transit and among its mineral content potassium stands out. The
Vitamin E has antioxidant action, it intervenes in the stability of the
blood cells such as red blood cells and in fertility.
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2. PLANNING OF THE APPLE ORCHARD
During the planning at this stage, an analysis and evaluation are necessary.
detailed and serious. All operations must be carried out. It should not
forget that the planting is done only once in the garden and that the
Errors that are made are difficult to resolve later.
Before making decisions in the planting phase, it is appropriate to have a
preliminary analysis.

[Link] evaluation
It should be taken into account: variety to implement, rootstock or stump to use
and its availability, the land, climate, water availability; to have the
supplies such as machinery, fertilizers, herbicides, etc.; labor
work, technology, and basic training.
[Link] of the climate
The characterization of the climate and its assessment is an important step for
reduce the risks that may arise in the future. This will allow for making
appropriate and timely decisions such as the choice of variety, system
of management, defense against climate damage, etc.
The variables that must be known and analyzed are:

Winter temperature (cold hours: the accumulated sum of

temperatures lower than 7ºC to -2ºC during the months of May to
August.
Spring and summer temperature (for flowering development of
fruit and ripening require heat. The Fuji variety requires
greater number of hot days
Rain (to plan irrigation, seek information at the agricultural station
near climatological.
Hailstones
Frosts (investigate and inquire When does it occur? Implement
early warning stations.
Winds (to have information about the occurrence of wind, its intensity and
important frequency before planting.

2.3. Location and assessment of the land.

The location of the land to establish a commercial apple orchard is
a decision that must be made responsibly. The production of
apple is a long-term crop, that is to say for 20 - 25 years, it
it is recommended to choose the best soils, as the investment is high, taking into account
consider the following aspects:
Lands or lots with access to the road.
Good quality land, deep, fertile, with a good amount of
organic matter, permeable and with adequate drainage.
Topsoil over 60 cm (do not forget that the root system of
Apple tree is deep).
Land with good lighting or solar exposure in the mornings.
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Avoid areas at risk of late frosts during spring
(flowering and fruit set).
Avoid areas with strong winds or plan the installation of curtains.
windbreak.
Land with poor drainage has a risk of waterlogging or
flooding, which negatively affects growth and production.

3. VEGETAL MATERIAL
3.1. Rootstocks or patterns
Recommended in balanced soils and for its resistance to aphids.
Woolly aphid (Eriosoma lanigerum). Medium vigor.

MM.7: Good behavior in wet soils, it is partially tolerant.

to the rot of the neck, although it has the drawback of emission
of the serpents. Medium vigor.
MM.111: It is a good option in dry hillside areas, as its greater
Root development seems to confer better drought adaptation. Vigor
elevated.

3.1.1. Gala and Royal Gala

GALA
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Tree: Of vigorous and upright growth, long and vigorous shoots,
showing a strong apical dominance.
Production: Intermediate entry variety in production (2-3 years)
depending on the development and vigor of the plant. Productivity or yield
medium (potential of 25-35 tons/ha in Bolivia for managed orchards
adequate).
Susceptibilities and tolerances: Leaves and shoots moderately sensitive to
powdery mildew, venturia, and spider mite. Fruit with medium susceptibility to venturia with
greater incidence in humid or cloudy areas.
Cold requirement: Variety with medium cold requirement in
winter (500-800 hours of cold temperatures below 7.2 °C).
Budding and flowering: Budding and flowering occur from the end of
September until the second week of October, depending on the
temperatures in the cultivation area (hot zones sprout earlier than in
cold zones).
Harvest: It is a variety of intermediate ripening fluctuating between
mid-January and February. In areas with low or regular temperatures,
the harvest can occur until mid-March.
Fruit: Small to medium in size, speckled red in color
(45-70% coverage), cream-colored background, flattened shape, crunchy and with
good sugar content. To obtain a commercial size or weight of the
Fruit thinning is necessary, which is done between 5-10 days.
after full bloom.
General recommendation:
Like most apple varieties, it requires pollinators,
most commonly used in our environment is the FUJI between 11 and 20%, to facilitate the
pollination, setting, production and quality of the fruit.
Although it can produce with a few seeds, the quality of the fruit is higher than
measure that has the highest amount of seed.
3.1.2. Fuji

APPLE VARIETY
FUJI

Tree: Vigorous and semi-erect growth, long, thin shoots

vigorous, with regular apical dominance. The branches and shoots are
moderately flexible which facilitates orthopedics and training of the foot.
Production: Intermediate entry variety in production (2-3 years of
leaf) depending on the development and vigor of the plant. High yield
Potential of 35-45 tons/ha in Bolivia for orchards with proper management.
Susceptibilities and tolerances: Leaves and shoots sensitive to powdery mildew and
Venturia. Fruit with medium susceptibility to Venturia with higher incidence
in humid or cloudy areas.
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Cold requirement: Variety with medium cold requirement in
winter (500-
700 hours of cold at temperatures below 7.2 °C.
Budding and flowering: Budding and flowering occur 3-5 days earlier.
what Gala and
Royal Gala, from late September to mid-October of
according to the temperatures of the area (hot zones sprout earlier than
cold zones).
Harvest: It is a late-ripening variety from March until
mid-April.
In areas with low or regular temperatures, harvest can occur.
from the end of March to mid-April.
Fruit: Large in size, flat in shape, striped red color (15-
45% coverage), with a green cream background, crunchy, with high content of
sugar and good flavor. Thinning is recommended to obtain good fruit.
size and reduce the alternation in production (alternation). The variety has
difficulty in developing color, which is why lighting is very important
of the whole plant since the fruit in shaded areas is of a lighter color
Fuji variety apple
General recommendation:
If it is cultivated as a commercial variety, it is necessary to establish
pollinators (Gala or Royal Gala) between 11-20% to increase the
pollination, setting, production and quality of the fruit.
3.1.3. Eva

EVA

Tree: Vigorous growth and open stature, with strong branching and
with a tendency to sprout again. The shoots are long and vigorous. It has a
regular apical dominance.
Production: Early entry variety in production (2 years)
depending on the development and vigor of the plant. High yield (35-45
tons/ha in Bolivia for gardens with proper management.
Susceptibilities and tolerances: Leaves and shoots with low susceptibility to
powdery mildew. Fruit with medium susceptibility to venturia with higher incidence in
wet or cloudy areas.
Cold requirement: Variety with low cold requirement in winter
(300-450 cold hours at temperatures lower than 7.2 °C).
Budding and flowering: Budding and flowering occur from the end of
August until mid-September according to the temperatures of the
hot zones sprout before cold zones.
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Harvest: It is an early ripening variety from the end of
December until the end of January, depending on the area.
Eva variety apple
Fruit: Medium to large sized fruit, elongated in shape, red in color
striped
(65-90% coverage), cream background, crunchy, with moderate content
and good taste. It is a parthenocarpic variety, meaning that it can
to produce without seeds or with little quantity, however, it is advisable the
pollination with the variety Princess. It also blooms and sets fruit.
abundantly, so thinning is necessary to obtain good fruit
size and reduce the alternation in production (alternate bearing).
General recommendation:
It is important to establish pollinators (Princess) between 11-20% for
increase pollination, setting, production, and quality of the fruit.
3.1.4. Princess
Tree: It is a variety of low to medium vigor, with a vertical stature and with
tendency to sprout at the basal part of the main branches. The sprouts
they are of medium or scarce size with short internodes. It has a medium
high apical dominance
Production: Early entry variety in production (1-2 years)
depending on the development and vigor of the plant. Average yield
(potential of 25-35 tons/ha in Bolivia for gardens with proper management).
Susceptibilities and tolerances: Leaves, shoots, and fruits with high
susceptibility to powdery mildew. Fruit with medium susceptibility to Venturia with
greater incidence in humid or cloudy areas.
Cold requirement: Variety with low cold requirement in winter
(300-450 hours of cold temperatures below 7.2 °C).
Budding and flowering: Budding and flowering occur from the end of
August until mid-September according to the temperatures of the
zone (hot zones sprout before cold zones).
Harvest: It is an early maturing variety from early to late.
in January, depending on the area.
Fruit: Medium to large in size, conical in shape, red in color (85-90%
of coverage), cream-colored, crispy, with medium sugar content
and good flavor. It is a parthenocarpic variety, meaning it can produce
without seed or with little quantity, however, it is advisable the
pollination with the Eva variety to improve fruit quality. Also
it blooms and bears fruit abundantly, so the quality of the
fruit. It also blooms and fruits abundantly, so it is necessary to
pruning to obtain good-sized fruit and reduce alternation in the
production (vecería).
General recommendation:
It is important to establish pollinators (Eva) between 11-20% for
increase pollination, fruit set, production, and quality of the fruit.
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3.1.5. Granny Smith

APPLE VARIETY
GRANNY SMITH

The fruit is green with white lenticels characteristic of the variety.

the appearance of lenticels depends on the climate and the sunlight exposure of the
fruits.
It has a rounded, slightly elongated, and symmetrical shape, with a peduncle.
thin and slender.
The texture is consistent, firm, and crunchy, characteristic of the variety.
The pulp is white-green in color, juicy, and has a distinctly sour taste.
at the time of collection.
After a few months of refrigeration, the taste is less acidic, already
a balance of sugars-acids is produced.
Collection
The determination of the optimal harvest date is estimated
approximately at 180 days, after the phenological state and must
to be carried out, based on the sugar content
(11-12 degrees brix) and the acidity (8-9 grams of malic acid/liter).

3.1.6. Winter Banana

APPLE VARIETY
WINTER BANANA

Variety of green and yellow color, with a varnished and smooth skin, is one of the
most cultivated varieties in our environment, because it is considered
indispensable for ensuring pollination.
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3.1.7. Red Delicious

RED VARIETY APPLE

DELICIOUS

Excellent variety whose fruit is red and large in size, with skin
slender, smooth and shiny, the tree is characterized by its vigor and good
fruiting.
3.2. Definition of the planting system
The planting system must be defined before preparing the land.
there are three planting systems: IN HOLES, IN TERRACES AND IN
CAMELS.
The planting system is based on the topography, soil quality,
availability of agricultural machinery, garden management.
3.2.1. Planting in holes
Traditional system in Bolivia, where seedlings are placed in holes or
holes of 60-80 cm in diameter and depth according to the quality of the
soil.
This system could be applied under the following conditions:
In high-quality, fertile, permeable, and drained soils.
Where the land cannot be prepared with agricultural machinery.
In areas with very rugged topography.
Preparation of the hole

In this system, the surface layer of the arable soil (30cm) must be
dig to one side of the surface because this soil has abundant matter
organic.
The bottom part of the arable layer is 40 - 80 cm. It must be separated to the other side.
from the surface with the aim of fertilizing the planting site. Furthermore in
This technique, the base fertilization, concentrates in the planting hole.
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For this, organic matter, fertilizer, and amendments are placed at the bottom.
is mixed with local soil. The hole is filled with soil up to 3/4 parts and
watered so that it compacts and decomposes.
3.2.2. Terrace planting
This system is suitable for slopes greater than 20%.
The plants are established in holes on terraces prepared with
anticipation. The characteristics are:
The terraces are designed following the level of the ground (contour lines) and they
You can use the leveling tool, hoses, or eclimeter.
The terraces are built by moving the soil from the upper side to the
inferior.
The terrace is 3-4 meters wide, although it may vary due to the slope.
of the land and technique used.
Where there is availability of stones, they can be used as
containment at the base of each terrace.
Terraces can be built with a hoe and shovel, or a plow with a share.
with yokes, crawler tractor or agricultural.
3.2.3. Planting in ridges

Relatively new system in Bolivia but it has many advantages and

is being accepted in many fruit-growing areas. In this system, the
plants are established on high and wide ridges or furrows that
construyen siguiendo la fila o hilera de plantas. Se puede aplicar en suelos
with slopes less than 20% and adapts well to waterlogged soils.
For this system, the following must be taken into account:
For the construction of medians, it is advisable to prepare the ground:
subsoiled, plowed, and harrowed.
The berms are built by piling up the earth from both sides to the
length of the row where the plants are placed.
To facilitate the work, the rows are marked with chalk by drawing a line that is
note clearly.
In flat terrain, the tractor flips the soil towards the center of the row.
on both sides.
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Example of a ridge planting

The medians have the following advantages:

A volume of soil is designated exclusively for the roots, which allows for a
better root development of the plant (once the ridge is made, it does not)
destroys).
The volume of arable land useful for plants increases,
especially suitable for shallow grounds.
During the rainy season, the soil has better drainage and an important part
the roots remain aerated.
In clayey and flooded soils, the system can be the difference between
the life and death of the plant (plants suffer from excessive humidity).
Prevents or reduces the risk of seedling death from collar rot,
especially for susceptible patterns.
It adapts well to drip irrigation as the roots concentrate and grow.
in the best soil and in the moistening area.
3.3. Garden design and demarcation
The design is the arrangement or ordering of the plants in the garden.
indicating the distance between rows, between plants, and the shape. There are several
design classes, but the most used are the real frame, rectangular and three
roll

3.3.1. Design in real framework

In this design, the separation or distance between rows (B) is equal to the distance
between plants in row (A), forming a perfect square.
This design is used or applied when:
The terrain is uniform, whether flat or with a slight slope.
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3.3.2. Rectangular design

In the rectangular design, the distance or separation between the floors (A) is
smaller than the distance between rows (B), forming a rectangle between
four plants. Currently, it is the most widely used design in fruit cultivation as
allows for better land use, facilitates cultural work and
allows the movement of people.
This design fits well:
Flat or sloped land.
Different systems of driving or pruning.
Use of agricultural machinery.
3.3.3. Design in three rows
The three-hill design is recommended for sloped terrain,
especially when the planting is not done on terraces. This
Disposition reduces the risk of soil erosion.
In the design of three rows, the plants of the nearby rows or lines form
triangles (two plants from one row with one plant from the next row). The
the distance between plants and rows is variable and depends on the terrain.
The rows of plants are designed following the contours.
cases, not all rows are of the same length, some may be
incomplete.
For any design, it is necessary to consider the appropriate distance between
rows and plants, which depend on soil quality, vigor of
rootstock and variety, management system, etc.

3.4. Land cleaning

It consists of removing and/or eliminating stones, branches, logs, and trash from the land.
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In the clearing or fallow, thick trunks and roots are removed at 10 cm by
below the neck. The roots will rot and it will serve as natural subsoil.
The branches are taken to the ends or between the rows to rot.
(vegetable fertilizer).
Take the opportunity to eliminate the ants or chakas.

3.4.1. Fence, curtain breaks

winds and drainages
The Installation of Curtains
windbreak or the construction of
drainages are based on the
land, soil and the conditions
climatic. That is to say that they are
optional tasks.
However, if any of these
work is important, this is the
timely moment to carry them out,
since if it is done later,
will cause problems or additional costs
elevated.

3.4.2. Subscriber to all the land.

The practice consists of organic matter (guano, topsoil, etc.), and
the amendments are evenly distributed throughout the land, after the
subsoiling is incorporated into the soil with plowing and raking. In this method, it
requires high amounts of organic matter.
For poor, sandy, clayey soils with little organic matter.
When one wants to take advantage of part of the land (between the rows) to
annual crops in the first three years of the orchard's life.
3.4.3. Fertilization in the planting holes.
In this practice, the background subscriber is applied and concentrated in the hole of
planting of 60-80 cm in diameter and 60 cm in depth at minimum, 30
days before planting. The organic matter (fertilizers and amendments)
They are placed at the bottom of the hole and mixed with the soil from the site.
Recommended for good quality soils, with a good amount of organic matter.
organic, drained and permeable.
4. PLANTING OF THE FRUIT GARDEN
4.1. Planting season
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4.2. Varieties and Pollinators

The pollination of the apple tree is cross-pollinated, which means that in an orchard
There must be two classes of plants and flowers (male and female). Normally to
the plants that provide the female or feminine flowers correspond to the
variety, while those that provide the male flowers do
denominates pollinators. To guarantee pollination and setting (the
production).

The basic standard for apple orchards is: 'ALL PLANTS OF

THE VARIETY MUST HAVE A POLLINATING PLANT NEXT TO IT.
There are several distribution systems, the most used are:

Distribution 1:
In this form of distribution, one
set a pollinator for 8
plants (varieties).
This distribution means 11.1%
of pollinating plants and it is
suitable for pollinators with
abundant flowering and good
activity of insects.
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Distribution 2:
In this way, the pollinators are placed every second plant within
every second row and the rows with pollinators every third row starting from
initial pollinator. This distribution implies 16.67% of pollinating plants.
and is recommended for orchards with a medium level of pollination due to the
insects.

5. PLANTATION
The steps to follow for planting are:
Step 1: Locate the site of the plant.
To accurately locate the place of each plant on the land, a
facing the furrow to plant according to the
density.

For plants in a bag:

Gently break up the root ball.
Place the neck of the plant 5 cm above ground level.
Stretch and spread the roots to the sides or laterals.
Fill with soil around the root ball.

Step 2: Covering the roots and tamping

Once the plant is well positioned, loose soil is added over the roots.
filling the hole to ground level. When it is at ground level,
step on it from the outside in to compact it and have a good
contact between the soil and the roots.
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Step 3: Irrigation
Once planted, it is watered with plenty of water on average
10 to 20 liters per plant.

FRUIT PLANTS NEED THESE ELEMENTS IN THE

SOIL FOR GOOD DEVELOPMENT AND PRODUCTION (depends on the
type of soil is implemented artificially as needed
through fertilizers). Organic fertilizer.
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5.1. IRRIGATION OF FRUIT TREES
5.1.1. Importance of irrigation
Irrigation is the external application of water to the soil when it is not
supplied by the rains in order to meet the needs and
requirements for the proper functioning of the plants.

According to the vegetative cycle of the apple tree, the moisture

from flowering to leaf fall (August)
April) is a fundamental requirement to obtain good
yields and quality fruit.

5.1.2. Irrigation systems

5.1.3. Flood irrigation
It consists of distributing large amounts of water over the entire surface of the
soil where the plants are.
The applied water causes a temporary flooding
One variant of the irrigation system is through pits.

Advantages
Low-cost investment system
No sophisticated installations are required.
Easy to operate
Cloudy or sediment-laden water can be used
Disadvantages
Low irrigation efficiency (the first plants receive more water than the
last
Requires the ground to be level
A large volume of water is used.
It takes time for the ground to dry, which makes it difficult to carry out other tasks in the garden.

5.1.4. Furrow irrigation

Water is distributed through furrows, which are constructed.
following the ground level.
The furrows must cover the area of the plant roots
The water must reach the top floor.
Advantages
Low-cost investment system
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No special equipment is required
Easy to apply and can use muddy water
Requires less water than flood irrigation
Irrigation can be better controlled than by flooding.
The soil dries quickly and can be worked soon.
Disadvantages
Low to medium irrigation efficiency
The first plants receive more water than the last ones.
5.1.5. Sprinkler irrigation
It consists of distributing water in the form of RAIN through pipes and
pressure sprinklers.
This pressure can be provided by height difference or through a
bomb.
Advantages
High water distribution efficiency (75-80%).
Adequate distribution of moisture in the soil.
It can be used for frost control and pest control (spider mite).
Smaller amount of labor.
No leveling of the ground is required.

Disadvantages
High investment cost per area.
Requires clean and quality water.
Needs qualified operation.
5.1.6. Drip irrigation
- It consists of distributing water under pressure, in small quantities through
of pipes and emitters. It consists of a matrix, distribution system and
gutterers.
The drippers are located in the root zone of the plants.
Ventajas
High water distribution efficiency (90-95%)
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The volume of water needed is reduced.
Adequate distribution of moisture in the soil
It can be used for fertilizing with the system
Less labor force
Does not require leveling of the ground

Disadvantages
High investment cost per area
Requires clean and quality water
Requires qualified operation
6. COMMON PESTS AND DISEASES
6.1. Fruit fly

The fruit fly is one of the main pests that affects the
production and quality of the fruit. It is an insect that has a great capacity
of adaptation to different environmental conditions and to great diversity of
species. The adult fly pierces the fruit, lays the egg, and when it hatches
it converts into a larva that penetrates the interior of the pulp.
Under these conditions, the fruit rots, decays, and falls.
Fruit fly cycle
The adult fly lays its eggs inside the fruit, when it has
reached a medium development or when it is close to maturity. From
from the egg emerge larvae that vary in size between 3 and 15 mm and
It has a lifespan of between 6 and 55 days.
The larvae are white or yellowish-white and feed on the fruit.
The fruit falls to the ground and the larva emerges and buries itself between 5 and 15 cm.
depth and becomes a pupa, which can last between 8 and 30 days. Of
the pupa turns into the adult fly, which matures in 6 days to lay eggs again
the eggs in the fruit. Each female can lay between 5-20 eggs per day.
and a total of 300 eggs in its lifetime. There can be up to 10
generations per year if there are good conditions or if there are hosts
alternates.
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a). Cultural control
Collection and burial of fruits with the pest in holes of 80-100 cm.
depth.
The hole is covered with dirt from the place. In this way, the pupa will not be able to come out.
long live.
- Install traps in the garden to control the pest when the population is
reduced.
b). Chemical control
Chemical control means making applications with pesticides in
critical moments of appearance and attack of the pest. For the control of
the plague is efficient in necessary to perform population monitoring every year
of the adult fly, especially if there is information about the attack on the fruit,
To do this, traps are built using two-liter disposable bottles.

6.2. Woolly aphid

The woolly aphid is a black insect that leaves a sort of wool.
in the plant organs such as stems, roots, and shoots. It primarily attacks
to the roots of the apple tree, where it feeds on the sap, causing the
gall formation and reduces root growth, absorption and
transport of nutrients to the leaves.
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Among the more common ones, we can mention: San Jose Scale or
Cochineal, Powdery mildew, Venturia or Apple scab, Cankers (cankers), etc.

7. CULTURAL WORKS IN THE APPLE TREE

7.1. Weed control.

Weeds or unwanted plants are plants that are born, grow, reproduce
on the soil and environment of fruit plants. Weeds harm the
development of fruit trees, as they are strong competitors for nutrients, light
and water.

The main problems they cause are:

It reduces the growth of plants, especially in the first years.

Growth can be reduced by up to 75% in orchards with a lot of
weed.

They compete for water, light, and nutrients. In general, weeds are more
skilled at taking advantage of water and soil nutrients, and for that reason
they grow more rapidly.

In some cases, they are hosts for pests and diseases that affect
the fruit trees.

In the weeds, those pests survive only to return again to the

fruit trees.

The turnip is host to powdery mildew and aphids, the tankar to woolly aphids.

It complicates the management tasks of the garden such as watering, fertilization and
phytosanitary control.

It generates environmental conditions for the development of diseases such as

the venturia in apple tree.

7.2. Types of weed control.

7.2.1. Mechanical control of weeds

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Mechanical control is the total or partial elimination of weeds through
of the plow, harrow, yoke, machete, hoe, sickle or other tools that
produce the cut of the plant. Mechanical control is the most
used by fruit producers, however its application has serious
deficiencies, which often also harm the root system
of the fruit trees.

For this reason, the application of mechanical control must consider the
the following recommendations:

The depth of the soil cut with agricultural machinery, yoke or

The hoe should be superficial (do not overturn or flip the soil). In the nearby area.
for the plants, the depth should not be greater than 10 cm. in rows. If you
dig deeper, it can seriously damage the root system of the
fruit trees, especially the superficial rootlets.

Although it can be done at any time of the year, it is recommended

do it when the herbs are small and before they bloom to reduce
the proliferation or propagation by seed.

For young orchards (one to two years old), the recommended control is
with a hoe, as it allows for better care of the fruit plants.

In the dry season, weeding should be done two to three days before the
irrigation. In this way, there is a higher mortality rate of the weeds.

7.2.2. Chemical control.

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It is the application of herbicides to the soil to prevent germination of the
weeds (pre-emergent herbicides) or foliage to cause death of
the same (post-emergent herbicides). In general, chemical control with
herbicides are low-cost and efficient, but at the same time it is dangerous and
your application must be very careful. Mistakes in the application of
herbicides can cause the death of plants.

7.3. Thinning of fruits

Thinning is a practice that influences size, color

and quality of the fruit, prevents unnecessary loss of
nutrients especially carbohydrates

In the case of pollinator trees, this fact is particularly serious since

that they are necessary due to their abundant flowering, for which
it is recommended to remove most of their fruits.

Thinning is done manually, it is suggested to leave no more than one or two.

apples for spur or fruit dart and if the density of fruits is very
large, distance about 10 cm apart from each other.

Thinning begins with pruning in winter, as that is when it is defined.

the number of darts and brindillas that will remain for production. The thinning is
15 days after full bloom.

8. RIPE FRUIT
The fruit grows, matures, and dies. The changes that indicate that a fruit
the apple is ripening
Color change, from green to cream.
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The green color is lost
The pulp becomes soft
The seed changes from white to brown
Starch is transformed into sugar.

YOU CAN ALSO SEE THE FRUIT IN VARIOUS WAYS:

Pressure (The pressure of the pulp or hardness is a good indicator to know

when to harvest apples. To know the pressure of the pulp of the
There are several methods, but in our context, the most accessible is through
of the penetrometer or pressure gauge.
To measure the pressure in the block, a 5/9 piston is used on both sides.
opposites of the fruit, superficially cutting the skin.
Iodine test is used to determine the level of starch or sugar in the
fruit. Iodine in contact with the pulp shows two colors: dark when
there is starch and of course when there is sugar).
background color (almost all apple crops have two colors: the
background color and the cover color). To apply this method in
apple the appropriate thing is to create a scale for each variety
ripening with color photographs of the calyx area of the fruit. The scale
It will be a comparison guide with the fruit to harvest (color of the area
calyce of the fruit.