An alternative to improve results

07/11/2016

In fruit growing, the different modalities of the technology, allow to face the vagaries of the climate - heat, cold, rain and hail -, also improving the productive and economic results. Its use grows in cherry, blueberry, apple and kiwi.

The effects of climate change and the need to have products that meet the demands of international markets have led to the development of new technological alternatives to face the vagaries of climate - heat, cold, rain, hail - and not lose or even improve the productive results. Among the most prominent, by far, coverage and meshes of different types appear, which despite their high initial cost - estimated to fluctuate between US $ 14.000 and US $ XUMUM per hectare - would allow a considerable increase in the profitability of the orchards.

In fact, in countries like New Zealand and Italy its use takes several years. In the European country, for example, a proportion higher than 70% of the vineyards use them, a reality very different from the one that occurs in Chile, where at present that percentage does not exceed 5%.

In this matter there are different coverage alternatives, which have different benefits and results. One of the most modern, and that has not long in Chile, are the macrotúneles, large structures, which have galvanized steel pipes and high durability polyethylene plastic.

Although in the world there are around 4 thousand hectares of macro-tunnels, in Chile there are only a few hundred hectares. One of the reasons for this is its high value, which can start in US $ 40.000 and reach more than US $ 200.000 per hectare, in the case that the macrotúnel is fully automated and has roof and side ventilation systems , and electric motors.

These tools are increasingly used in different species, including grapes, cherries, blueberries and apple trees, although each one fulfills different objectives.

IN CHERRIES, IT DEPENDS ON RISK

Thus, for example, one of the species where most are being used in Chile is cherry. At present, of the close to 30 thousand hectares of cherry trees planted in the country, around 10% has some protection tool, especially plastic cover.

Along with the advance of cultivation towards areas such as the Biobío, La Araucanía and even further south regions, the producers have had to learn to live in a permanent way with events such as rain, frost and winds. In this context, coverages have become an excellent weapon to reduce risks and even improve production.

Juan Pablo Subercaseaux, academic at the Catholic University, explains that «Most of the cherry plantations in Chile have no coverage, which leads to production varies widely between one garden and another. In the case of rains, the use of cover appears as fundamental, since it avoids the cracking or rupture of the cherry and, at the same time, it allows to save an important part of the harvest«.

Even with these results, experts recommend installing coverages only in areas where it is really required; that is, where there are real risks of climatic events occurring in times of high sensitivity for the crop.

«In my opinion, from the Region of Biobío to Aysén there should not be a large project that does not consider the installation of plastic covers«says Daniel Vieira, director of Chilecerezas.

However, Juan Pablo Subercaseaux insists that it is important to carry out a risk-cost evaluation.

«I can not conceive a plantation without calculating whether it is worth putting it or not. It is not worth placing a roof in an area where the chances of rain are low, less if the cost rises above US $ 20.000 per hectare«.

José Flores, producer of the Rauco area, in the Maule Region, is one of the users of this technology. Although he only owns one hectare in cherry trees (royal down and lapins), working time has allowed him to draw conclusions regarding its operation.

«This is our third season with macrotunnels in cherries and I can say that the investment is too high for the benefits obtained«, he indicates.

His bet - just as he has done in blueberries, where he owns nine hectares under macro-tunnels - was through the use of this technology to advance the harvest a few weeks. However, the expectations have not been fully met, because the advances achieved barely reach a week, insufficient time to achieve a commercial advantage.

BLUEBERRIES WITH HOMOGENEOUS QUALITY

In cranberries, where the most used technology is the macrotúneles, the experience in Chile has also been positive although it has shown that you have to worry about the temperature inside, since this and ventilation should be regulated, from the climate that exists abroad.

«The macrotúneles (open or closed) allow a greater thermal sum as the harvest approaches, which is what is sought to advance the entry into production«said the academic from the Pontifical Catholic University, Pilar Bañados in the «Protected Fruit Growing» seminar, organized by the INIA and Subsole.

In the sector is installed the idea that the use of these tools allows to increase the volume of production between 30% and 40%, advance the harvest, and develop agricultural work regardless of weather conditions.

To this is added the achievement of a homogeneous quality of the fruit season after season, something that these days is highly valued by exporters and international markets.

«My experience with this technology has been good«emphasizes producer José Miguel Izquierdo, who started four seasons ago with only one hectare, but the good results have led him to increase his hectares covered with macrotunnels to 10.

«The decision to install the tunnels happened because we had early varieties and we wanted to anticipate them a bit. The truth is that, depending on the varieties and conditions of the season, the harvest can be advanced by up to one month. In fact, the ones that advance the most are the early varieties, which have a low cold requirement. We, for example, split the harvest in September«Comments.

José Miguel Izquierdo recognizes that this is not a cheap investment, although it is worth it.

«The plant grows better within the macro tunnel, because the plastics have a UV filter, which enhances vegetative growth. For this reason, the quality of the fruit is also better. In addition, it can be harvested when it is raining«, he indicates.

10% of the area of cherries in the country would use plastic coverages.

Source: Revista del Campo