Estimation of nectarine yield efficiency and light interception by the canopy in different training systems

The present study was carried out on cv. Çincal 5 (Prunus persica var. laevis L. Batsch.) which is widespread in the Campania district because of its early fruit maturity and for growing in plastic tunnels. This study focused on the relationships of light interception with crop efficiency and fruit ripening, in order to assess the performance of nectarine trees trained to the two most widely planted nectarine systems in Piana del Sele county near Salerno (southern Italy). These systems are the Palmette, with vertical hedgerow architecture, and the Ypsilon trellis, based on a Y-shaped hedgerow. Emphasis was placed on the number of high quality fruit produced rather than total yield. Yield efficiency (yield/TCSA) and the relation between yield and light interception were determined to define the crop load of canopy architectures under investigation. The canopy light interception was measured by using a multiple-PAR sensor bar. The Y-shape trellis was viable in achieving adequate ripening fruit and yield quality, whereas the Palmette showed a lower percentage yield of high quality fruit. The fruits on Y-shape trees have an advantage because they are distributed on shoots with optimum exposure of leaves to light, which improves quality parameters of yield.