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New Zealand Tree Crops Association

Introducing the speakers at the Nelson TCA CONFERENCE 2012

Confirmed speakers are:

John Palmer PhD: “Intensive systems of production for pipfruit”

This would cover some of the history of pipfruit production systems in various parts of the world and the more recent uptake of intensive systems on dwarfing rootstocks here in NZ.  The apple tree has shown itself to be very adaptable and can be trained into a wide range of canopy shapes, due to its ability to form flowers on lateral buds, on young and old wood, and to produce new growth from terminal and lateral meristems.  This adaptability coupled with the availability of clonal rootstocks with a wide range of vigour control has given us the ability to manipulate the canopy to produce precocious, high yielding production systems.

Scientist John Palmer joined HortResearch in the early 1990s and brought with him a wealth of experience of intensive orchard production systems which he attained during his research in the UK. His experience has been shared with New Zealand scientists and has supported the move of New Zealand orchardists towards more intensive systems.  Intensive orchard systems enable growers to benefit from the dwarf rootstocks and gain higher returns of new apple varieties, improve fruit quality, lower production and harvesting costs and improve spray application efficiency.

Plantings on dwarf rootstocks can help owners of lifestyle blocks and urban gardens to grow an abundance of nutritious fruit.  John will talk about how to prune and look after intensive plantings and trees on dwarf rootstocks.

Here are some websites you can visit:
http://www.avocadosource.com/Journals/AUSNZ/CONF97/CONFERENCE_1997_PG_156-162.pdf
http://www.growingfutures.com/files/advanced_orchard_systems.pdf

Lester Brewer PhD: ‘World pears;  breeding goals and trends’

Lester will give a brief overview of the world pear market, focusing in on some of the important varieties.  Discussing some of the trends in the retail market, how this affects the introduction of new cultivars.  Discussing the direction of world pear breeding programmes, some of the targets of the New Zealand programme and how these fit into the trends that are occurring.
Lester is involved with the HortResearch pear and berry breeding programmes.  The pear breeding programme started in 1983. It was divided into traditional breeding lines including European, Chinese and Japanese parts and inter-specific pear breeding. Inter-specific breeding is now the most important part of the programme as we believe these are producing the largest genetic gains. Classifications are breaking down as breeding lines are more complex with most crosses including genetic backgrounds of more than one species. While we are continuing to select for tradition style pears, a lot of interest is being expressed in the innovations in fruit texture, flavour and skin colour that are observed in the inter-specific populations. Combinations of interest include the introgression of European pear aroma with crisp juicy texture, red colour and extended shelf life.

Margot Syms: “Pollination and small scale beekeeping”

Margot is a local tree crops member and small scale beekeeper.  She is passionate about her bees and getting the best pollination possible for her tree crops.
I like to get the best production out of my tree crops. I had better attend this session too!!

Jenny North – “Growing beautiful food gardens”

Jenny will talk about the concept of making food gardens beautifully so they not only provide food for us but are inspirational and able to stir the human soul. This includes managed wilderness as part of the design for good predator/pest balances and pollination, tree and annual crops flowers and herbs for the same purpose and for colour and balance. The ‘quarter acre dreaming’ garden at Founders Park in Nelson aims to depict this in miniature. The question is how practical is it?? Is function the only way to go for a productive property, or can we grow food for ourselves in gardens that are fused with nature.

Kate Marshall (Waimea Nursery) – ‘Disease resistant apples – from heritage to modern varieties’

From dwarf apples to triple grafted pears, Kate offers her pick of the top fruit trees for Kiwi backyards - plus exciting new varieties.

Dave Harris is the finalist of the 2010 Nursery and Garden Industry Association and went on to a 2nd place at the 2010 Young Horticulturist of the Year.  Dave, (28), is the Production Manager at Thirkettle Nurseries in Nelson. The 12-hectare nursery specialises in a wide spectrum of container plants, from fruit trees to camellias. Dave will talk about propagation-budding-grafting.


Speaker affiliations

Kate Marshall — Waimea Nurseries
Lester Brewer — Plant & Food Research, Riwaka
Dave Harris — Thirkettles Nurseries
John Palmer — Plant & Food Research, Riwaka