HT 302 – FRUIT PRODUCTION II
TEMPERATE FRUITS
PRODUCTION
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INTRODUCTION
Introduction
• A temperate fruit species is one that is adapted to
the temperate climate.
• The temperate climate is the type of climate
experienced within the region between 30o and
50o latitudes North and South of the Equator.
• Temperate fruit plants are also known as
deciduous fruits.
• Because they undergo cyclic defoliation as
opposed to the evergreen character of
tropical fruits. 2
Introduction …
• Temperate/Deciduous plant have a rest
requirement:
❖ a condition by which growth is
arrested or inhibited under field
conditions until the plant has been
exposed to a certain level of cold
temperatures.
➢ The cold temperatures are referred to
as chilling temperatures.
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BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION
Classification
• The most important temperate fruits belong to a single
family: the ROSACEAE family.
• Temperate fruits in the family can be classified into:
➢ Two sub-families
✓ Pomoidae
✓ Prunoidae
and
➢according to the type (structure) of their fruits:
✓Pome fruits
✓Stone/drupe fruits
✓Berries
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Botanical Description …
Classification of fruit species of the Rosaceae family
Sub - Fruit type Genus Species Common
family name
Malus Malus spp. Apple
Pomoidae Pome Pyrus Pyrus communis Pear
Cydonia Cydonia oblonga Quince
Prunus persica Peach
Prunus amygdalus Almond
Prunus Prunus americana American plum
Prunus domestica European plum
Stone/Drupe
Prunus salicina Japanese plum
Prunus armeniaca Apricot
Prunoidae
Prunus avium Sweet cherry
Prunus cerasus Sour cherry
Fragaria Fragaria spp. Strawberry
Berries Rubus Rubus spp. Brambles
Viccinium Viccinium spp. Cranberry
Blueberry
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Pome (Malus, Pyrus & Cydonia)
Apple
Pear
Quince
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Prunus
Peach Nectarine Almond
Plum Apricot
Cherry
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Berries
Strawberry
Blackberry Blue berry
Raspberry
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Classification …
• Other Families
Family Genus & Species Common Name
Fresh Fruits
Moraceae Morus spp. Mulberry
Ficus carica Fig
Vitaceae Vitis spp. Grape
Actinidiaceae Actinidia spp. Kiwifruit
Nuts
Juglandaceae Juglans spp. Walnut
Betulaceae Corylus spp. Hazelnut
Anacardiaceae Pistacia vera Pistachio
Fagaceae Castanea spp. Chestnut 9
Other families – Flesh fruits
Fig
Kiwi
Grape
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Other families - Nuts
Walnut
Hazelnut
Pistachio
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ORIGIN AND DISTRIBUTION
• Temperate fruits species have their origin in
different locations in the temperate region.
• Their distribution is confined mostly to the middle
latitudes: 30O and 50O N & S.
• Production may extend to lower latitudes at high
elevations.
• It also extend to higher latitudes in regions under
the influence large water bodies (oceans).
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Origin and Distribution
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ECOLOGICAL ADAPTATION
Climate
• In temperate regions, during the half of the year
(Fall and Winter) plants are subjected to cold
temperatures.
• During the other half (Spring and Summer), plants
experience progressively increasing temperatures.
• The beginning of the cold season (fall) provokes
temporarily suspension of plant growth.
• It is said that plants enter a resting period or
become dormant.
• Dormancy is a general term used to denote the
inactive (non growth) state of buds.
• At this stage the plants shed/drop their leaves.
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Ecological Adaptation
• Over a certain duration of time during which
temperatures remain below a certain threshold level, the
plant mechanism registers the amount of cold received
up to a certain quantity that is considered sufficient.
• The threshold level was initially estimated by Weinberger
in 1954, to be 45oF (7.2oC),
• This quantity is measured in terms of hours of cold, and
is quantified in terms of chilling Units.
• One chilling unit (1 CU) = 1 hr at the threshold level of
cold temperature (7.2oC).
• The sufficient quantity of cold varies according to species
and cultivars.
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Ecological Adaptation
• The ability of climate to satisfy these conditions
enable plants to resume growth = to break dormancy.
• Dormancy is normally terminated or relieved in
winter.
• Once dormancy has been broken, the plant becomes
more and more sensitive to hot conditions which
allow vegetative growth, flowering and fruiting.
• Each species and variety of temperate fruit crops is
characterized by a specific requirement for cold
temperature that enables it to break from dormancy.
• Also each has a requirement for hot temperatures for
stimulation of growth. 17
Ecological adaptation
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Ecological Adaptation
• The requirement for hot temperatures for stimulating
growth or re-growth is the Growing Degree Hours (GDH).
• In temperate regions, cold temperatures are less a
limiting factor.
• However, high temperatures that enable growth can be
limiting in terms of the length of the hot season.
➢At very high latitudes (>50o) the hot season is usually
too short to allow complete growth and fruit maturation.
• In the tropics, high temperatures do not constitute a
limiting factor.
• Low temperatures received hardly reach the proposed
threshold level of 7.2oC.
➢ This implies that, tropical areas are capable of
providing only a low sum of cold temperatures or CU.19
Ecological Adaptation …
• In cold temperate zones, Ranking of species in terms
the most adapted species of chilling requirements
and varieties are those
with a high chilling
requirement.
• In tropical regions, only
species and varieties with
low chilling requirements
can be successfully grown.
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Ecological Adaptation …
Consequences of Insufficient Chilling
The classical symptom of inadequate chilling is The
phenomenon known as “Delayed foliation”.
= After a cold season, the following abnormalities
can occur:
➢Not all leaves are shed;
➢Absence of growth (buds failing to open);
➢Buds may break dormancy, but over a long
period of time.
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Consequences of Insufficient Chilling
As a result, it will be observed that:
i. A plant will at the same time carry the old leaves
and the new ones;
ii. Fruits and flowers are seen on the trees at the
same time;
iii. Excessive flower and fruit drops will occur due to
competition for nutrients;
iv. Fruits will vary greatly in size such that those
which set late are small and/or of poor quality;
v. Long shoots may have bare patches except at
the apex due to drying off of buds; 22
Consequences of Insufficient Chilling
(vi) Failure of vegetative and reproductive
development, since there will be no sprouting
of the axillary buds nor development of lateral
branches;
(vii) Flowering and fruiting occurs only to a limited
extent in the leafy branch apex;
(vii) Excessive vegetative growth due to early or
constantly high temperature.
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How to Compensate for Insufficient Chilling?
(i) Defoliation: One month after harvesting the leaves
are removed; manually/mechanically or by use of
chemicals (defoliators).
(ii) Bending: At the end of the growing season
Branches/shoots are bent horizontally at and
fixed/tied in that position, followed by pruning of
the shoot tips.
(iii) Application of chemicals: Spraying trees with
specific chemicals during the resting period. The
most widely used chemicals include:
➢ DNOC (Dinitrocresol)
➢Soap - Oil mixtures.
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How to Compensate for Insufficient Chilling
(iv) Site selection: In highlands, valley bottoms are
cooler than hill tops. For higher chilling hours,
valley areas can be selected.
(v) Pruning: Buds on long vigorously growing
shoots are more susceptible to delayed foliation
than weak ones. Severe pruning, induces
vigorous vegetative growth and hence higher
risk of delayed foliation.
(vi)Choice of species and varieties: Low chilling
varieties for the most important species, suitable
for tropical highland climates are available.
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TEMPERATE FRUIT GROWING IN TANZANIA
• Temperate fruits were introduced by the Europeans.
• Were grown for the first time in Lushoto in the early
1900s.
• Early Europeans settled preferably in highland areas.
• These came with and planted temperate fruits for home
consumption.
• At that time, varieties with low chilling requirements
were not yet known.
• Those introduced were those of high chilling available in
Europe.
• Overtime, these lost their main characteristics due to
unsuitable climate and use of seeds in their propagation.
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Temperate fruit in Tanzania …
The main area where temperate fruits were grown are
• The Northern highlands
➢ Lushoto district (Tanga region) – In this area, the altitude
varies between 1000 – 1800 m asl. The main growing areas
are Lushoto, Mtae and Mlalo divisions.
Morogoro region
➢ In the west side of the Uluguru mountains in Mgeta division
at altitude ranging from 1500 – 2000 m asl (Nyandira, and
Tchenzema wards.
➢ The northern slope of the Uluguru mountains (Morning side)
is popular for strawberry growing.
Dodoma region:
➢ Is unique for the production of Grape.
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Temperate fruit in Tanzania …
• Southern Highlands:
➢ Iringa region: Kilolo district (Dabaga) and Mufindi
(Ifuma and Itufiro).
➢ Njombe region: Makete district (Magoma division)
with altitude ranging from 1500 – 2000 m asl is the
most suitable area.
➢ Mbeya region (above 1700 m asl): Imalila and Ilembo
with altitude approximately 2200 m asl.
➢ In most areas orchards were owned by institutions
while the local people owned scattered trees.
➢ Private orchards are now more established in
Njombe region.
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