The fifth revised edition of professional monography is intended for fruit growers-amateurs and professional fruit growers. The principles and rules of fruit pruning for various fruit plants are described in detail. In addition to fruit pruning, the basic characteristics of fruit planting and training systems are illustrated.
F.01 Acquisition of new practical knowledge, information and skills
COBISS.SI-ID: 278338048Due to rising public pressure in the past decades alternatives for large-scale and industrial farming are being sought. Environmental and sustainability issues and the rising awareness of the link between the over usage of pesticides/ fertilizers and negative health effects have been the key factors for creating the integrated production approach, which encompasses environmental friendly technologies. Moreover, the demand for organically grown products is constantly growing. The organic production model is a step towards further restriction of chemical use in plant production. Limited use of pesticides boosts the plant’s investment into its own defence systems, which normally results in higher content of secondary compounds. Synthesis of secondary metabolites is a common plant response to any form of stress (biotic or abiotic) and their function is to help the plant to overcome unfavourable conditions. Many compounds, especially from the group of phenolics, are also considered beneficial for human health and therefore, numerous studies comparing different production systems have been conducted in the past 20 years. Generally, organically produced food contains greater amounts of health beneficial compounds and diminished levels of pesticide residues and nitrates. On the other hand, the results are not always definite, as several other factors influence the composition of natural products (f.e. environmental and varietal factors, sampling and set up of experiments). Therefore, controlled field trials in which most of the factors can be either controlled or at least recorded, should be encouraged. The present paper displays the synthesis and function of phenolics as a response to different forms of stress, which can occur during plant growth, with a special emphasis to different production systems.
B.04 Guest lecture
COBISS.SI-ID: 8328825Due to loss of markets in North Africa and Russia, Europe has had a surplus of apples in the past few years. The pressure intensifies and the producers strive to optimize their yields per hectare and ensure topmost quality of apple fruit. Economically successful and environmentally conscious apple production must consider several parameters. Effective production is based on optimal environmental conditions and soil, which can be ameliorated with appropriate technological measures. Physiological demands and potentials of specific soil-cultivar-rootstock combinations must be understood to optimize orchard planning, control vigor and achieve abundant and regular flowering. Planting system and training form must lead to ideal canopy light relation and energy capture. In order to achieve optimal and high-standard yields, producers must strive to reach full bearing potential of the trees as early as in the third or fourth year after planting. Moreover, training system and fruit thinning practices must be optimized to harvest large yields and high quality fruit each season.
B.04 Guest lecture
COBISS.SI-ID: 8264825Sweet potatoes are grown for the edible tubers and young shoots. It is a tropical plant species, which is increasingly widespread in tropical and temperate regions. Sweet potatoes can be cultivated in Slovenia but special emphasis must be put towards choosing the right cultivars as all are not adapted to our climatic conditions. Tubers of selected cultivars should ripen over a period of three to three and a half months. Breeding of sweet potato is focused on high-yields, round to elliptical shape of fruit with yellow or orange flesh. However, 'Janja' cultivar is characterized by white flesh and white skin.
F.33 Slovenian patent
COBISS.SI-ID: 8112505Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) is a virtually unknown culture in Slovenia, which is often confused with earth apple or Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L .). Sweet potato is not related to common potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) and is favored for its low glycemic index. The tubers contain inulin polysaccharide rather than starch. As inulin has a negligible effect on blood sugar levels the tubers are suitable for diabetics. In 2015 we were the first in Europe to include new cultivars of sweet potato to the cultivar list. Among these, 'Lučka' is an interesting sweet potato cultivar with high levels of carotenoids affecting orange color of tuber peel and flesh.
F.33 Slovenian patent
COBISS.SI-ID: 8112249