Abstract

RODRIGUEZ, A; THOMAS, E; CANCIO, H  and  MENNI, F. Evaluación de tecnologías alternativas de manejo para disminuir los daños causados por el viento en frutos de pera cv. Williams, en el alto valle de Río negro, Argentina. RIA. Rev. investig. agropecu. [online]. 2014, vol.40, n.2, pp.208-212. ISSN 1669-2314.

In irrigated valleys of Río Negro and Neuquén, where strong winds are a constraint to agricultural production, especially in spring. In this region the principal pear cultivar corresponds to Bartlett (Pyrus communis L. cv. Bartlett) that is very sensitive to wind damage, which causes important quality and economic losses. Live windbreaks are often planted in agricultural fields to protect crops, and soils from wind hazards effect. However they are questioned because of their competition for light, water and nutrients. Pruning is a necessary cultural practice in orchards to control vegetative vigour and improve production. The pruning could be an alternative to reduce the risk of wind damage. The aim of this study was to evaluate and quantify the effect of a windbreak barrier of poplars and two pruning systems on the proportion of damage fruits. Wind speed and direction was recorded at 10 m high from a meteorological station. The evaluation was made over three seasons in grower fields. Fruit damage was visually classified as: healthy fruits, moderate damaged fruits, severe damaged fruits. Sampling was made on trees at three distances from windbreak: 1H, 2.5H and 5H (multiples of windbreak height). There were four treatments: long pruning with and without windbreak and short pruning with and without the windbreak. The results presented showed that, with strong winds the proportion of damaged fruit were 20% lower with live windbreak than without windbreak. On the other hand, windbreak provides significant protection at a distance of 5H. Under the conditions of this experiment the type of pruning does not affect the proportion of healthy and moderate damage fruit. Pruning cuts significantly decreases the percentage of damage severe fruit.

Keywords : Pyrus communis L; Windbreak; Pruning.

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