Effects of Cultivar, Training System and Rootstock on Long-term Economic Performance of Apple Orchards in the Northeastern U.S.

Authors: HO, SHAUAY-TSYR - National Taiwan University; GONZALEZ-NIETO, LUIS - Cornell University; REIG, GEMMA - National Taiwan University; LORDAN, JAUME - National Taiwan University; Fazio, Gennaro; HOYING, STEPHEN - Cornell University; FARGIONE, MICHAEL - Cornell University; BRADLEY, RICKARD - Cornell University; ROBINSON, TERENCE - Cornell University

Submitted to: Scientia Horticulturae
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/11/2024
Publication Date: 5/10/2024
Citation: Ho, S., Gonzalez-Nieto, L., Reig, G., Lordan, J., Fazio, G., Hoying, S., Fargione, M., Bradley, R., Robinson, T. 2024. Effects of Cultivar, Training System and Rootstock on Long-term Economic Performance of Apple Orchards in the Northeastern U.S.. Scientia Horticulturae. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2024.113194.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2024.113194

Interpretive Summary: The profitability of an orchard is dependent on several factors. This research examined the effect of training systems, cultivar and rootstocks on the economic viability of apple orchards in the North-Eastern part of the USA using the net present value method to compare effects. The value of the cultivar had large effect on profitability followed by yield which in turn was influenced by the productivity of the rootstocks in particular training systems and tree densities. This analysis aids apple growers in the planning process before planting apple orchards.

Technical Abstract: An economic analysis of profitability using net present value (NPV) was conducted using data from two long-term training system × rootstock field trials conducted in New York State from 2006-2016. The field trials compared four training systems (Slender Pyramid, Vertical Axis, Slender Axis and Tall Spindle) each evaluated with several rootstocks in an incomplete factorial treatment list and with two cultivars at each location. Economic profitability (Cumulative Net Present Value of Profits: NPV) over 20 years was greatest with the Tall Spindle system compared to the other lower density systems. Economic performance was mostly driven by planting density, regardless of the rootstock selection. Among cultivars, ‘Honeycrisp’ had significantly higher profitability than ‘Gala’ while ‘Fuji’ had significantly lower profitability than ‘Gala’. Among rootstocks, there was a significant interaction with training system and cultivar, so the same rootstock was not the most profitable with every cultivar and system. With ‘Fuji’ the most profitable combination was on G.16 rootstock in the Tall Spindle system, however, it was not significantly better than with G.11 or M.9. With ‘Gala’ at Dressel farm the most profitable combination was on G.11 in the Tall Spindle system but it was not significantly better than with G.16, G.41, M.9 or B.9. With ‘Gala’ at VandeWalle farm the most profitable combination was on G.41 in the Tall Spindle system but it was not significantly better than on G.11, G.16, M.9 or B.9. With ‘Honeycrisp’ the most profitable combination was on M.9 in the Tall Spindle system but it was not significantly better than G.11, G.16, G.41 or B.9. A sensitivity analysis showed that among economic parameters affecting the long-term profitability of an orchard, fruit price and yield were vastly more important than other factors. Of intermediate importance were the discount rate and labor costs while of much lesser importance were tree costs and land costs.