Method for growing fruit trees with high water consumption in pots for intensive and sustainable fruit production

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of intensive and sustainable cultivation for cultivating fruit trees with high water consumption, such as avocado trees, through the multivariate management of: plant structure, nutrients, dynamic density, artificial pollination, and the use of specific wavelengths for each phenological state that allows the control of early transition to production, maximum yield per surface area unit, and fruit harvest time. A method for cultivating fruit trees with high water consumption (such as avocado, citrus, apple, mango, pear, peach, kiwi trees, among others) in containers for intensive fruit production comprises the steps of placing avocado tree plants with a high absolute density in aerated containers, placing in the containers a substrate for accelerated root growth, hydroponically cultivating the containers with a nutrient solution that provides early plant emergence, flowering, and fruiting, and placing the containers under dynamic density conditions that vary from a density of 1.0 x 1.5 meters to a density of 3.5 x 2.5 meters. the steps of: controlling the phenological cycle of the plant by illumination with intermittent wavelength pulses operating periodically over time and within the plant location space using an LED light system; artificially pollinating the flowers by applying pollen to the panicles of each flower using a spray system; controlling the size of the tree by training and pruning to form a multi-axis plant structure; controlling blight and disease by biological control using microorganisms; and cultivating large inner diameter fruits with small seed size.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE PRESENT ART The present invention focuses on the fields of agronomy, water resources and environmental impact, generally the invention relates to a method for the cultivation of fruit trees with high water consumption, optimizing water use and maximizing production. In particular the invention relates to a method for the intensive and sustainable cultivation of trees with high water consumption (such as avocado, citrus, apple, mango, pear, peach, kiwi, among others) under constraints through the multivariate management of: plant structure, nutrients, dynamic density, artificial pollination, and the use of specific light wavelengths for each phenological stage that allows an early transition to production, maximizing yield per unit area, and controlling the timing of fruit harvest. In particular the invention patent relates to: 1. A method for the cultivation of avocado trees in containers for intensive fruit production. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Background of the Invention It is estimated that agriculture uses 70% of water withdrawn worldwide, and agricultural activities account for an even higher percentage of "consumed water" due to crop evapotranspiration. Globally, over 330 million hectares are irrigated. Irrigated agriculture accounts for 20% of the total cultivated area and contributes 40% of the total food production worldwide. Competition for water resources is expected to increase in the future, putting particular pressure on agriculture. Due to population growth, urbanization, industrialization, and climate change, improved water-use efficiency must be accompanied by a reallocation of water in water-stressed areas of 25% to 40%. (https: / / www.bancomundial.org / es / topic / water-in-agriculture).

[0003] The UN estimates that by 2025, 1.8 billion people will live in countries or regions with absolute water crisis. Under the current conditions of climate change, it is expected that by 2030, almost half of the world's population will live in water-stressed areas. In this context, Chile is one of the countries suffering from water stress, a country whose development has been limited mainly by droughts and lack of fresh water in recent years. The forestry and livestock sector in Chile is clearly export-oriented, with fruit growing and forestry playing a dominant role. Chile can therefore state that its economic growth is still based on the exploitation of natural resources, with water being a fundamental element for sectors such as agriculture (https: / / www.elmostrador.cl / agenda-pais / 2019 / 08 / 30 / como-la-escasez-de-agua-estaria-afectando-la-agricultura-de-nuestro-pais / ).

[0004] According to the World Resources Institute, over 25% of the world's crops are grown in areas with severe water stress, and the five most water-intensive crops in the world are 1) almonds in California, USA, 2) avocados in Petorca, Chile, 3) sugarcane in Pakistan, 4) rice in Punjab, India, and 5) bananas in the Dominican Republic. (https: / / agriculturers.com / los-5-cultivos-que-mas-agua-consumen-en-el-mundo / ).

[0005] Now, turning to fruit crops, they can be divided according to their water requirements, whether they are resistant, tolerant or sensitive to drought, according to their water consumption. There are several drought-sensitive fruit trees that require mandatory irrigation: i) cherries, apricots, peaches, pears, late apples, avocados and cherimoyas, which require 750 mm of water / year; ii) blackberries, citrus and raspberries, which require 800-1,300 mm of water / year; iii) papaya, which requires 1,800 mm of water / year; iv) kiwi, which requires 2,000 mm of water / year; and v) hazelnuts, which require 2,500-3,000 mm of water / year. (http: / / blog.agrologica.es / necesidades- hidricas-de-las-principales-especies-frutales-riego-tabla-resistentes-sequia / ).

[0006] As shown above, a symbolic example of the water crisis and avocado cultivation in Chile is the town of Petorca, an area that, unfortunately, is noted for having a huge number of hectares of avocado trees cultivated and not having enough water for human consumption. However, this water shortage cannot be attributed only to the avocado trees, since the area also has a large green area corresponding to citrus trees. Thus, the water used for avocado development is not much more than for citrus or walnut tree cultivation, and beyond the seeds produced, the problem is the excessive number of hectares cultivated.

[0007] However, beyond why certain tree species are more commercially interesting than others, and why some of these consume such large amounts of water, a more thorough understanding of the life cycle and reproduction of these highly water-intensive fruit trees is needed if we hope to develop real strategies of resource optimization.

[0008] A typical example of these trees is the avocado, which can produce millions of flowers, but of which less than 1% develop into fruit. This is due to a series of events occurring during the pre-fertilization period (from the time the pollen reaches the stigma until fertilization occurs) and early fruit development, ranging from inefficient pollination to adverse environmental conditions. Work carried out on avocado trees has shown that the percentage of flowers with pollen tubes in the vicinity of the ovule is influenced by the number of pollen grains that reach the stigma, but not all flowers whose ovules are fertilized ultimately develop into fruits. On the other hand, after manual application of pollen, fruit set increases, but the percentage of flowers that are converted into fruits is still very low, suggesting that inefficient pollination may be one of the factors involved in the low fruit set, but not the only one; other factors may be involved in the reproductive success of the flower, such as the quality of the flower itself, which in turn depends on efficient nutrition. The pre-fertilization period is highly sensitive to environmental conditions, especially temperature, which plays an important role in regulating the receptivity of the stigma, the rate of growth of the pollen tube, and the viability of the ovule. On the other hand, it has been described that in avocado trees, the deposition of at least 20 pollen grains is necessary for fertilization to occur. It is therefore important to point out that many factors must come together in order for a flower, whose ovule is fertilized, to be naturally transformed into a fruit, which is why the tree produces such a large number of flowers over a long period of time, with the resulting energetic effects that are involved.

[0009] Concerning avocados, obtained as the fruit of avocado-cultivating trees, note the significant increase in consumption in recent years, with an estimated production volume of 2.8 million tons in 2000 to approximately 7 million tons in 2019. In the case of Chile, the cultivation of different varieties of avocados has become an important focus of agricultural and economic development, exporting about 70% of its production, with a large domestic consumption. Thus, beyond the consumption of avocados within Chile, avocado production plays an important role in the national economy, since, apart from satisfying human food needs, it generates an important number of direct and indirect jobs. On the other hand, the production of avocados, most of which is exported, places this sector in the national goal of Chile being a food power in the international market.

[0010] It is therefore necessary to understand and manipulate all the variables at play in cultivating fruit trees to obtain optimal fruit production, developing new cultivation methods and products that will strengthen Chile in the international market, while at the same time meeting social objectives by reducing the water consumption of these species and making a more sustainable agronomy. Although the development of the method of the invention patent has been carried out based on Chilean realities, its application can be carried out in any geographical location of the world where trees with high water consumption are cultivated, such as in the case of avocado trees.

[0011] As a result, several innovations have emerged as solutions to reduce water consumption and improve the yield of fruit crops. Thus, various patents and publications are shown in the state of the art, which are based on new innovations for agronomic purposes, for example, utility model CN203968874 refers to an experimental seedling cultivation device. The experimental seedling cultivation device comprises a cultivation groove, in which an opening is formed at the top of the cultivation groove, and then a concave space is formed inwardly in the cultivation groove, an internal cavity for containing water or nutrient solution is formed at the bottom of the cultivation slot, and a cross-linked grid plate is disposed in the inwardly concave space of the cultivation slot, the cultivation slot is divided by the grid plate into a plurality of storage slots, and a through hole is formed respectively, which respectively communicates with the internal cavity at the bottom of the storage slot. A seedling culture box for containing a nutrient matrix is ​​contained in the storage slot, a water inlet hole is formed at the bottom of the seedling culture box, and a water-absorbing cotton rod is disposed on the seedling. The position of the cultivation slot opening is covered by a cover film. The experimental seedling cultivation apparatus allows convenient determination of the conditions of water requirements and the degree of irradiation for seedling growth of different plants.

[0012] Utility model CN205993179 discloses a multi-function pot, characterized in that it comprises a pot body, a hook, a base plate, a universal wheel, a water receiving disk, and a suction cup. The pot body and the universal wheel are respectively attached to the upper and lower surfaces of the base plate, the hook is fixedly attached to the pot body, and the drip tray is attached to the base plate by the suction cup, and the drip tray is located at the bottom of the hook. A pot body is disclosed, which comprises an inner trough, an outer trough, and a soil loosening plate. The pot body and the inner trough are placed in the outer trough, forming a free-flowing space between them, and the soil loosening plate is attached to the side wall of the outer trough.

[0013] Patent US2492152 discloses a flowerpot assembly, one of the objectives of which is to provide an assembly that provides sufficient protection against dehydration and over-hydration of the plant. Such a pot assembly prevents undesirable conditions and provides a moist atmosphere surrounding the pot. A planter assembly is provided that comprises a container with an open top with non-perforated walls and a planter with porous walls and a flange near its top, the planter being supported in the container with its walls spaced apart from the container walls and with the bottom of the pot located a substantial distance above the bottom of the container, leaving a space below the bottom of said pot in the container for the accumulation of water. This arrangement of the pot prevents over-hydration, since the bottom of the pot does not come into contact with the water at the bottom of the container. In addition to this feature, a removable sealing is provided between the top of the pot and the container, which has the effect of always maintaining moist atmospheric conditions around the pot, thus preventing the soil in the pot from drying out.

[0014] Patent application US2017 / 027118 discloses an avocado seed planter, which is a reusable device that holds avocado seeds while they root in a jar or beaker of water. After the seeds have rooted, they can be removed from the pot and planted in a pot with soil to grow as houseplants, or planted and grown outdoors if desired.

[0015] Patent EP2103212 discloses a plant growth regulator and a technique for its use. Specifically, the invention relates to a plant growth regulator that can increase the yield by using glutathione, and a technique for using the plant growth regulator.

[0016] Patent application WO2013 / 044208 describes a method for improving plant growth comprising treating a plant seed or a plant sprouting from the seed with an effective amount of at least one chitooligosaccharide, and upon harvesting, the plant exhibits at least an increased plant yield measured per bushel per acre, an increased number of roots, an increased root length, an increased root mass, an increased root volume, and an increased leaf area compared to an untreated plant or a plant harvested from an untreated seed.

[0017] Patent application KR20200102232 shows an aeration pot based on microporous technology. The pot based on microporous technology overcomes the existing problem that the space does not retain moisture because the air flowing through the space is poor to accommodate plants, so that the growth is hindered, by having higher breathability compared to other circulation pots and retaining moisture in the micropores to help plant growth.

[0018] Patent application CN105766644 discloses a method for tissue culture of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus), which belongs to the technical field of plant biology. The method includes the steps of preparing explants, selecting mature and whole okra seeds, washing the okra seeds with tap water for 2-3 hours, then disinfecting the okra seeds with 70 percent alcohol on a clean bench for 30 seconds, disinfecting with 0.1% mercury trioxide for 8-10 minutes, rinsing with sterile water 5-6 times, soaking the disinfected seeds in sterile water for 12-24 hours, inoculating the soaked seeds into 1 / 2 MS culture medium and growing under fluorescent lamp light for 5-7 days, cutting the terminal shoots of 1.5-25 cm with partial hypocotyls after flattening the leaves, inoculating the terminal shoots into MS culture medium containing 0.05 mg / L NAA and growing under blue-red LED (light-emitting diode) light. A 1:3:1 blue-red-yellow LED light combination ratio of 1:3:1 yellow combination ratio for 35 days is suitable for the growth of okra tissue culture seedlings.

[0019] Patent application KR20170123079 shows a method for increasing the bioactive substances and growth of Crepidiastrum denticulatum using various LED light emitting diodes. By ensuring an optimized LED technology for increasing the bioactive substances and growth of Crepidiastrum denticulatum, a medicinal crop used as a raw material for medicines, the method of the present invention can be applied as a technology for producing highly functional plant raw materials.

[0020] As can be seen, there are several explanations that allow the identification of different variables that can be managed or manipulated for an intensive and sustainable cultivation of trees with high water consumption (for example avocado trees), but the cultivation of these trees remains problematic since it has not been possible to develop methods to replace the mass cultivation on land (which requires high water consumption) or to cross different species of fruit trees with high water consumption. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0021] [Patent Document 1] Utility model CN203968874 [Patent Document 2] Utility model CN205993179 [Patent Document 3] Patent US2492152 [Patent Document 4] Patent application US2017 / 027118 [Patent Document 5] Patent EP2103212 [Patent Document 6] Patent application WO2013 / 044208 [Patent Document 7] Patent application KR20200102232 [Patent Document 8] Patent application CN105766644 [Patent Document 9] Patent application KR20170123079 [Non-patent literature]

[0022] [Non-Patent Document 1] https: / / www.bancomundial.org / es / topic / water-in-agriculture [Non-Patent Document 2] https: / / www.elmostrador.cl / agenda-pais / 2019 / 08 / 30 / como-la-escasez-de-agua-estaria-affectando-la-agricultura-de-nuestro-pais / [Non-Patent Document 3] https: / / agriculturers.com / los-5-cultivos-que-mas-agua-consumen-en-el-mundo / [Non-Patent Document 4] http: / / blog.agrologica.es / necesidades-hidricas-de-las-principales-especies-frutales-riego-tabla-resistentes-sequia / [Non-Patent Document 5] Frolich and Plath, Method., 1972 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0023] Therefore, there is still a need for better methods of cultivation of this type of tree, which can improve the water use efficiency (WUE).Furthermore, there is a need for a crop that improves its impact on the environment and sustainability and reduces the use of pesticides (nutritional or phytosanitary) without affecting or reducing the fruit production of the tree, because the method must improve the WUE and be environmentally sustainable, as well as being commercially attractive in terms of fruit production, since the tree must produce a similar yield as a land-based tree in order to be profitable for the grower. [Means for solving the problem]

[0024] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT APPLICATION Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method for the basic guidelines to be addressed for growing high water consumption fruit trees in aerated containers, efficient and uniform root structure, analysis and improvement of WUE, environmental sustainability, artificial pollination, use of aerated containers, distance of location, and photoperiod and light intensity of leaf exposure. The condition in which the tree is placed in an aerated container improves WUE because the required water is concentrated in the container. On the other hand, when the tree is in a container, there is sustainability in the use of nutrients because i) the best nutrients are efficiently captured by the tree, and ii) the nutrients remain concentrated in the container, so there is no direct impact on the surrounding environment as in the case of planting the tree directly in the ground. All the above variables work synergistically and synergistically to achieve optimal environmental conditions for early plant emergence, flowering, and fruiting, as well as plant phenological control, synchronization of flowering and fruit emergence in an intensive manner.

[0025] As a result, the present invention presents notable technical advantages with respect to the cultivation techniques known in the state of the art, which advantages are achieved on the basis of an intensive and sustainable cultivation method of fruit trees with high water consumption, under the constraints and through multivariate management, notably: plant structure, nutrients, dynamic density, artificial pollination, and the use of specific wavelengths for each phenological state allowing early ripening into production, maximizing the yield per unit area, as well as controlling the timing of fruit harvest. A method for growing fruit trees, for example avocado trees in containers for intensive fruit production (although it may also be applicable, inter alia, to citrus trees, apple trees, mango, pear trees, peaches, kiwis) comprises the steps of starting with a clonal plant with a high root density in an aerated container, providing in the container a substrate for accelerated root growth, hydroponically cultivating the container with a nutrient solution resulting in early vegetative development, flowering and fruiting of the plant, placing the container under conditions of dynamic density varying from a density of 1.0×1.5 meters to a density of 3.5×2.5 meters over time. The method includes controlling the phenological cycle of the plant by illuminating it with an LED light system that operates periodically with intermittent pulses of wavelengths within the location space of the plant; artificially pollinating the flowers by applying pollen to the panicles of each flower with a spray system; controlling the size of the tree by training and pruning to form a multi-axis plant structure; controlling pests and diseases through biological control using microorganisms; and cultivating large caliber fruits with small seed size.

[0026] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will now be described in detail in conjunction with the drawings, which form a part of this application.

[0027] It is important to note that the drawings do not represent all components in actual or proportional scale, but serve only as supporting elements for a better understanding of the invention. The invention cannot be limited to only what is seen in the drawings, since what is seen in the drawings is represented in a didactic manner, a priori elements for understanding the fundamental aspects of the cultivation method, and may not include elements that are common knowledge in the state of the art. Therefore, the following figures are presented: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0028] [Figure 1] Schematic diagram of a polyaxial plant, showing the layout of the polyaxial plant with a main axis (A) and two or more secondary branches (B) emerging from it. [Diagram 2] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a clonal root system, which has a main stem from which the main adventitious root emerges and on which secondary and tertiary roots arise. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0029] Detailed Description of the Invention For a better understanding of the present invention, the following definitions need to be provided and should be understood only as an aid to understanding certain technical features of the present technical field.

[0030] The term "clonal plants with high root density" as used in the present invention refers to plants with a much more efficient root system with a large number of absorbing roots that can constantly supply the water and nutrients required by the various structures of the plant. The fact that they are clonally propagated gives them the advantage of uniformity and resistance to conditions of pathogen development that may occur under this restriction.

[0031] The term "aerated container" as used herein corresponds to all kinds of planters, pots and other types of containers that do not retain water but allow the plant to be separated from the soil and kept in an aerated substrate environment.

[0032] The term "fertigation" as used in the present invention is a technique that allows the distribution of water use and the placement of fertilizers in solution close to the root system of the plants, which allows for a faster and more direct contact of the nutrient elements with the roots, and therefore a better absorption and use of the fertilizers. Also, taking into account the developmental stage of the crop, it is possible to divide the fertilization and reduce or increase the amount of fertilizer according to the crop's requirements, in order to reduce environmental pollution and production costs. At the same time, fertigation makes the use of water and nutrients more efficient, since they are delivered in a localized manner. Among the most notable advantages are fertilizer savings, divided delivery of nutrients, and higher water use efficiency.

[0033] As used herein, the term "phytodevelopment" refers to the life cycle of a plant in which no flowers or fruits are produced, only twigs and leaves.

[0034] The term "flowering" as used in the present invention refers to the beginning of the reproductive period of a plant, the success of which is determined by the moment at which it occurs, which must be most appropriate within its development and under optimal environmental conditions. It consists of the process of growth and separation of the sepals and petals of the flower, revealing the stigma and stamens, also identified as the anthesis period. This is accompanied by the opening of the flower, allowing pollination, fertilization, seed emergence, and finally fruit formation.

[0035] The term "fruiting" as used herein is the process of flowering that results in the transformation into a fruit.

[0036] The term "dynamic density" as used herein corresponds to the distance between trees that varies over time to maximize space utilization. Density refers to the number of trees per hectare, and means that after an initial high density distribution, the plants are spaced apart and distributed at a lower density to allow optimal light and maximum productive surface area.

[0037] The term "phenology" as used herein refers to the science that studies the development, differentiation, and initiation of organs or structures, and refers to the study of biological phenomena associated with certain periodic rhythms, such as budding, flowering, among others, and the environment in which they occur (Hodges, 1991; Mullins et al., 1992). In this case, the "phenological cycle" of plants is related to the relationship between climatic factors and the plant cycle. This specifically relates to the cyclical production of vegetative and reproductive structures.

[0038] The term "floral panicle" as used herein, also known as panicle, is a raceme composed of clusters of flowers that decrease in size towards the top. In other words, it is a branched cluster of flowers, the branches being clusters themselves. It is classified as a cluster of clusters, having a primary rachis, which is further divided into secondary rachises, from which the flowers with pedicels separate.

[0039] The term "polyaxial" as used in this invention, also known as a bushy system, is a type of tree branch training that is fixed only once at the beginning to maximize the productive surface of the tree for optimal leaf volume required for the desired production level. Select the emerging vigorous shoots, 4-5 well distributed, which will form a bush or foliage.

[0040] The term "clonal propagation" as used herein consists of rooting etiolated stems of various desired rootstocks by scraping and applying a hormone solution (Frolich and Plath, Method., 1972).

[0041] The term "root structure" as used herein refers to the structure of plant roots and how they develop from adventitious roots emerging from the stem. The three-dimensional structure of the root system is an essential adaptive aspect in plants, as it allows the uptake of water and nutrients at different levels of the soil profile. In forestry, root structure is also relevant for container plant culture and other management aspects.

[0042] The term "adventitious roots" as used herein refers to roots that do not arise from the embryonic rootlet but arise elsewhere in the plant, such as any part of the shoot, rhizomes, and older roots.

[0043] The term "mulch" as used in the present invention is any material, usually organic, that is placed on the ground around plants and acts as a protective layer against climatic changes, mainly of moisture and temperature, that occur in the soil. Mulch is beneficial during periods of water shortage, as it has the ability to reduce evaporation, retain more moisture, improve nutrient retention, and allows the soil structure to be maintained.

[0044] Thus, as indicated in the previous paragraphs, although there are different types of methods for cultivating commercially interesting fruit trees in pots for the intensive and sustainable production of fruits (such as avocados, citrus fruits, apples, mangoes, pears, peaches, kiwis, among others), there is no document that equally discloses the cultivation method disclosed in the present invention.

[0045] As a result, one of the advantages of the present invention is that it addresses the problem of WUE and environmental sustainability, since it discloses a cultivation method that requires less water to produce fruit trees, in particular avocado trees, that present the same fruit yield index as those cultivated under normal soil conditions, under conditions that ensure less water consumption per tree, and that also allows for higher densification, thus achieving a greater use of the productive surface. In other words, the cultivation method of the present invention makes it possible to obtain a fruit (avocado) on a limited surface, with a high internal diameter and high volume of crop compared to conventional cultivation systems, but without environmental impact on the surroundings, due to reduced water consumption.

[0046] Furthermore, through the present invention, a cultivation method has been developed using clonal plants with high root density and led lights in aerated containers, which offers advantages in terms of high efficiency of utilization of resources, plants, water, nutrients and light, as well as low use of pesticides that are harmful to the environment, which method gives the advantage of obtaining fruit production with low environmental impact and high nutritional value.

[0047] Another advantage of the method of the present invention is that artificial pollination is developed, which is very useful because pollen arrives at the right time and leads to a higher pollination rate.On the other hand, natural pollination through bees is more complicated because bee numbers are reduced due to indiscriminate use of pesticides and disease, so alternative methods of pollination are a breakthrough in the cultivation of fruit trees with high water consumption, allowing more sustainable pollination.Therefore, the low environmental impact of the method of the present invention and the low use of harmful pesticide products are another advantage that contributes to the protection and care of bees and their repopulation.

[0048] Another notable feature of the present invention is that, although the prior art discloses separately some of the elements used in the claimed method, none of the cited documents describes a method using all the elements and steps included in the method of the present invention, thereby optimizing water usage and maximizing fruit production. All the features that make up the cultivation method of the present invention are applied synergistically and cooperatively to achieve optimal environmental conditions for early plant emergence, flowering, and fruit set, as well as plant phenological control, synchronization of flowering and fruit emergence in an intensive manner, which allows for an early transition to production, maximization of yield per unit area, and control of the timing of fruit harvest, all with reduced water consumption.

[0049] Additionally, as described in the Examples section, another advantage of the method is that it was possible to determine the optimal relationship of crop distance between plants to optimize fruit production, improving production space with each plant having optimal access to air, light, and growing space resources.

[0050] Finally, the method of the present invention, together with the aerated containers and plant material (avocado) used, presents the technical advantages of producing root masses and an artificial fertilization method to achieve early plant emergence, flowering and fruiting, while the use of LED light systems allows the control of the phenological cycle of the plants, resulting in better fruit production at lower resource costs.

[0051] Thus, the technical advantages of the present invention are achieved through a combination of steps and special features, each of which provides a technical contribution that is enhanced by the remainder of the features to which it is applied.

[0052] Thus, for example, Figure 1 represents a polyaxial plant structure, where the size of the tree is controlled by training and pruning to form a main axis (A) from which two or more secondary branches (B) arise which in turn divide into tertiary branches or axes on which the fruit grow and develop.

[0053] Thus, the method of cultivating fruit trees with high water consumption, in particular avocado trees in containers, for intensive fruit production according to the invention, comprises the steps of: (i) placing clonal plants with high root density in aerated containers; (ii) placing the containers on mobile structures (pallets) under outdoor conditions; (iii) placing a substrate for optimal fine root growth in the containers; iv) hydroponically cultivating the containers with a nutrient solution that results in early vegetative emergence, flowering, fruiting and fruit development of the plants; and v) placing the containers under conditions of dynamic density varying from an initial distance between the plants of 1.0×1.5 meters to a maximum distance of 3.5×2.5 meters. vi) controlling the phenological cycle of the plant by illuminating it with an LED light system with intermittent pulses of wavelengths that are operated periodically over time and within the space in which the plant is located; vii) artificially pollinating the flowers by applying pollen to the panicles of each flower through a sprinkler system; viii) controlling the size of the tree by training and pruning to form a multi-axis plant structure; ix) controlling pests and diseases by biological control using microorganisms; and x) cultivating large fruits with small seed size.

[0054] It is pertinent to emphasize that the cultivation method of the present invention is carried out in a continuous cycle, starting from placing the plants in an aerated container and ending with the harvesting of the fruits, and therefore that the duration of said continuous cycle may have a time variation for each tree, taking into account the specific conditions of each plant or tree, but a time range is always established for the realization of the entire cycle covered by the method.

[0055] Clonal plants are originally found in nurseries and when they are approximately 80 cm tall, they are transplanted into aeration containers where they are clonally propagated with a root structure that includes five adventitious roots that are distributed in a spiral form and give rise to a mass of fine roots that arise in a cyclical manner. The aeration containers contain a mixture of inert substrates, which may consist of, for example, coconut fiber and peat, allowing sufficient aeration of the roots. With this method of clonal propagation, a crown root is obtained that arises from the main stem, from which emerges a taproot at an open angle, which gives rise to a root system on the surface (maximum depth of 50 cm) as well as numerous secondary and tertiary roots (absorbent roots). As shown in FIG. 2, the roots are composed of a taproot (1) with a diameter of approximately 6 mm, a secondary root (2) emerging from it with a diameter of approximately 2 mm, and a tertiary root (3) emerging from it with a diameter of approximately 1 mm.

[0056] The plants of the invention are always kept in containers; cultivation in isolated containers allows advantages in terms of sustainability (less water consumption, higher efficiency of nutrient, fertilizer and pesticide use, as well as better control of phenological aspects; therefore, the plants are always in pots or containers on the surface of the determined land.

[0057] On the other hand, the method includes hydroponic cultivation in containers with a nutrient solution, which is carried out at a specific frequency and amount for each growth stage, the frequency being evaluated according to the characteristics developed and monitored daily, by adding a nutrient solution mainly containing phosphoric acid, ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate, calcium nitrate, and magnesium sulfate in an amount adjusted according to the needs of each plant.

[0058] Regarding the crop density of the present method, after an initial high density distribution, the plants are distributed at a dynamic density according to their emergence and fruit load levels, varying from an initial distance of 1.5×2.0 meters to a maximum spacing of 3.0×2.0 meters. Placing the plants at a dynamic density implies a spacing that allows the plants to grow at their maximum during the growth stage. This means that the distance between the plants increases over time. The initial density is 1.5m×2.0m, reaching a maximum spacing of 3.0m×2.0m in the production stage, which is 3.0m towards the alignment alley and 2.0m above the planting strip or line.

[0059] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the dynamic density distribution of plants can be arranged using a row spacing scheme of 2.0m x 1.5m above the row, and another, 2.0m distance between rows x 3.0m above the row.

[0060] Furthermore, the LED light system is placed on an elevated top grid above the plants, and the LED light flash pulses have wavelengths ranging from 400 to 1500 nm, operating in a cyclical manner over time and in the plant location space. The application of intermittent pulses is carried out in cycles varying from 15 minutes to 3 hours. This regulates the plant's phenological cycle, i.e. controls the changes during plant growth and flowering. This involves synchronizing the flowering of the plant in an intensive manner to the moment of optimal environmental conditions in terms of temperature and relative humidity for flower development and fruit set.

[0061] This control is favoured by artificial pollination, carried out by manual and / or mechanical sprinklers applied directly to the trees at flowering.

[0062] In another embodiment of the invention, control of tree size is achieved by pruning each branch that has been fruit bearing for two years, and each year the pruned productive trees are recycled and used as mulch.

[0063] In another important aspect of the present invention, pest control is carried out in an environmentally friendly manner, and the control of pests and diseases is carried out daily by monitoring and manual control, in particular by biological control of pests, which is carried out by beneficial microorganisms for the plant that eliminate these pathogens, and these microorganisms can be selected from Trichoderma harzianum T-78 and Glomus iranicum var. tenuihypharym, Beauveria bassiana, and Metarhizium anisopliae, but pest control can also be carried out using fungal extracts, yeasts, or marine algae.

[0064] Finally, the fruits are harvested manually or mechanically. They can be cultivated both on flat and sloping land. The cultivation method of the invention can be replicated with fruit trees with high water consumption, such as avocado, mandarin, citrus, apple, mango, pear, peach, kiwi, among others. Of particular interest in Chilean agriculture is the cultivation of avocado trees (especially the Hass variety) and citrus trees (e.g. orange and mandarin). EXAMPLES

[0065] Working Example A step-by-step method of growing in containers and a description of the rigorous testing to demonstrate these production levels are demonstrated through the comparative examples below.

[0066] Example 1 How to grow avocado trees in containers under controlled conditions. This example of the method involves the use of a Hass avocado tree, which is a clonally propagated, direct-rooted, densely rooted plant without a rootstock, with a root structure that includes five main adventitious roots distributed in a spiral fashion, giving rise to a mass of fine roots that develop in a periodic and abundant manner in an aerated container (air pot) as is commonly known in the art.

[0067] The method involves the use of any container that allows the passage of air and has sufficient strength to survive at least 10 years without deterioration of its structural characteristics and permeability to water and air.

[0068] The cultivation method in containers can use a mechanical oxygen injection system through the hydroponic system. The availability of oxygen at the root level is essential for optimal plant development, since it is necessary for different preferential metabolic processes, such as carbohydrate metabolism, nitrate reduction, symbiotic nitrogen fixation, protein regeneration, maintenance of the proton gradient, and nutrient absorption by the roots, and is a major factor in optimal plant development, considering the restrictive conditions in which these plants are placed. To this end, we work with substrates that provide the best oxygen / water ratio, as well as aerated containers and oxygenated nutrient solutions (oxygen hydroponic culture), which allow an increase in yields in these cultivation systems.

[0069] The substrate used was a mixture of an inert substrate composed of coconut fiber and peat in equal proportions of coconut fiber / peat. The pots were placed under open air conditions on a mobile structure and hydroponically grown with a nutrient solution mainly containing phosphoric acid, ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate, calcium nitrate, and magnesium sulfate, allowing early plant emergence, flowering, and fruiting.

[0070] Plants are initially placed at high density (1.5m x 1.5m spacing) and then worked at dynamic density according to their emergence and level of fruit load, starting from 1.5m distance between rows x 1.5m above the rows, to 2m distance between rows x 3m above the rows.

[0071] To optimize their development, they are grown using an LED light system with intermittent pulses of wavelengths that operate periodically over time and are within the space in which the plants are located. The LED light system is placed on an elevated top grid above the plants, with intermittent pulses having wavelengths in the range of 400-1500 nm, which operate periodically over time and are within the space in which the plants are placed. The application of light is achieved by the mobile structure and the fact that the trees are in a very high density, which allows to cover a large amount of trees in a significantly smaller space than traditional plantings. The application cycle of the LED light pulses is adjusted according to the purpose and the phenological age of the plants. Depending on the light range, the application time varies from 15 minutes to 3 hours. This is achieved by controlling the phenological cycle of the plants, synchronizing flowering in an intensive manner and at the moment of optimal environmental conditions for fruit development.

[0072] The phenological cycle of the plant is controlled by synchronizing the flowering of the plant in an intensive manner through the use of hormones, nutrients, LED light, and pruning, which should be done at the time of optimal environmental conditions in terms of temperature and relative humidity to achieve fruit emergence and harvest within a specific time window of the year, which is determined by the environmental conditions where the tree is located. The time from flowering to fruiting should take approximately a range of 1500-2000 degree days / year on a 10° basis.

[0073] To achieve effective pollination of the flowers, an artificial pollination system is used that allows a significant increase in fruit set per panicle, with larger fruit diameter and smaller seed size. Artificial pollination is carried out by manual and / or mechanical sprinklers applied directly to the trees at flowering, which depends on the daily environmental conditions at the site. This increases the number of flowers that can be set, increasing the productive potential of the trees and avoiding direct dependence on bee hives, whose flying activity depends on the outside temperature.

[0074] To control tree size and maximise production, a training and pruning system is used which results in a multi-axis plant structure; productive trees are recycled annually and each branch is allowed to produce for two years and then pruned.

[0075] For pest and disease control, biological control and microorganisms are used to keep pathogen levels under control to a level that does not require the use of pesticides or insecticides. Biological control is carried out with microorganisms of the type Trichoderma harzianum T-78, Glomus iranicum tenuihypharim var., Leucanthemum orbiculare, and Metarhizium anisopliae. Other methods known in the art use fungal extracts, yeast, or seaweed.

[0076] Given the high efficiency of plant resources, water, nutrients, and light use, and the absence of environmentally harmful pesticides, avocado production is achieved with low environmental impact and high nutritional value.

[0077] Example 2 Comparison of methods for growing avocados under plateau and soil conditions. This comparative study looked at plantings of Hass avocados grown on flat land. Due to the type of soil found in Chile, and the fact that most of the country has extensive mountain ranges, it is not easy to find many hectares of flat land available for growing fruit trees, and in recent years it has been decided that plantings on north-facing slopes are preferred to protect the trees from adverse climatic conditions.

[0078] For this reason, most avocado cultivation in Chile for many years has been carried out on flat land, as the benefits of cultivating trees on hillsides that have been lowered to form plateaus have been unclear.

[0079] The field trial used avocado trees in containers according to the invention grown in the open, compared to avocado trees grown under typical soil conditions, to compare production yields.

[0080] Results: The study showed that cultivation in aerated containers allowed for improved plant health of the trees, significantly larger fruit size (positive commercial impact), higher vegetative growth of the trees allowing them to go into production earlier than usual, and lower water requirements.

[0081] Another improvement obtained was the use of water, since when the plant was placed in the container, just enough water was used to hydrate the plant's roots in the container, whereas in soil crops, much more water was lost and absorbed by the surrounding soil, and not necessarily by the tree's roots. By quantifying the number of liters of water used with each cultivation method, it was possible to determine that there was a reduction in the irrigation water used by at least 50% when growing avocado trees in containers according to the present invention. This is highly relevant, considering the water shortages around the world, as already indicated, and the problems in many areas of Chile, where avocado trees are assumed to consume more water than is intended for human use.

[0082] Finally, the last parameter evaluated was productivity, because even if the avocado trees were able to grow to a sufficient size, tolerate the climatic conditions and reach the maturity stage, all of this is of little use if the fruit yield is not the same as avocados grown in soil.

[0083] The results showed that the level of flowering was significantly improved in avocado trees grown in containers (according to the invention) compared to avocado trees grown in soil. The level of fruit production in both cases was the same, but having a higher number of trees per hectare resulted in a higher density, leading to a greater use of productive surface and a significant reduction in water consumption per tree (more than 50%). All of the above would show that it is possible to improve water use efficiency (WUE) using the cultivation and pollination method of the invention, while having a positive impact on crop yield per hectare, and that an environmentally sustainable method is available by reducing the use of nutrients or phytosanitary pesticides.

[0084] The yields per plant obtained in avocado trees grown in soil according to the methods of the art and those grown according to the methods of the present invention were the same and were as follows: 4 kg / plant in the first year of production, 10 kg / plant in the second year, 15 kg / plant in the third year, 18 kg / plant in the fourth year, and 20 kg / plant in the fifth year.

[0085] As a result, the method of the present invention proves to be i) a sustainable cultivation strategy requiring less water, ii) environmentally friendly as it does not require pesticides, iii) more economical as it saves on water costs, pesticide use, handling and maintenance, and iv) more profitable as it achieves the same level of fruit production per tree but increases the yield per production area.

[0086] Thus, the above examples and description of the present invention support a method of growing fruit trees with high water consumption in containers for intensive fruit production. Therefore, the scope of the described invention should not be limited only to the components mentioned in the examples, such as avocado, since other designs and configurations of the present invention can be given from the description herein detailed and shown in the previous paragraphs. Other fruit trees with high water consumption that are of economic interest in the agricultural sector and are also affected by the water crisis are citrus trees, and the method can be applied to trees other than avocado. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] A spindle B Secondary branch 1 taproot 2 Quadratic roots 3 Tertiary root

Claims

1. 1. A method for growing avocado trees in containers for intensive fruit production, said method comprising the steps of: - placing a high root density avocado plant in an aerated container; - placing said container on a mobile structure under open air conditions; - placing a substrate for accelerated root growth in said container; - hydroponically cultivating said container with a nutrient solution that provides early vegetative development, flowering and fruiting of said plants; - placing said container under dynamic density conditions varying from a density of 1.0×1.5 meters to a density of 3.5×2.5 meters; - controlling the phenological cycle of said plants by illuminating them with a system of LED lights with intermittent pulses of wavelengths varying between 400 and 1500 nm, placed in an elevated upper grid above said plants and cyclically operating over time and within the space in which said plants are located; - artificially pollinating the flowers by applying pollen to the panicles of each flower via a sprinkler system; - controlling the size of the trees by training and pruning to form a multi-axis plant structure; - controlling pests and diseases by biological control using microorganisms; and - Developing fruits with large internal diameter and small seed size A method comprising:

2. 2. The method of growing avocados in containers according to claim 1, characterized in that the high root density avocado plants in the aerated container are clonally propagated using a root structure that includes five adventitious roots.

3. 3. A method for growing avocados in containers according to claim 2, characterized in that in the root structure, the adventitious roots give rise to a mass of rootlets which are spirally distributed and arise in a periodic manner.

4. 2. The method of growing avocado trees in a container according to claim 1, characterized in that the aerated container contains an inert substrate mixture of coconut fiber and peat that provides a large amount of aeration.

5. 2. A method for growing avocado trees in containers according to claim 1, characterized in that the hydroponics of said containers with nutrient solutions are carried out with a frequency and amount specific to each growth stage.

6. 6. The method of growing avocado trees in a container according to claim 5, characterized in that the nutrient solution mainly comprises phosphoric acid, ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate, calcium nitrate and magnesium sulfate.

7. 2. The method of growing avocado trees in containers according to claim 1, characterized in that after an initial high density distribution, the plants are distributed at a dynamic density depending on their level of emergence and fruit load, said density varying between a density of 1.5 x 2.0 meters and 3.0 x 2.0 meters.

8. 8. A method for growing avocado trees in containers according to claim 7, characterized in that in the distribution of the dynamic density of the plants they can be arranged in a scheme from a distance of 1 m between rows by 1.5 m above the rows to another distance of 2 m between rows by 3 m above the rows.

9. 2. The method of growing avocado trees in a container according to claim 1, characterized in that said led light system is applied in a cycle ranging from 15 minutes to 3 hours.

10. 2. A method for growing avocado trees in a container according to claim 1, characterized in that the control of the phenological cycle of the plant comprises synchronising the flowering of the plant in an intensive manner to the moment of optimal environmental conditions in terms of temperature and relative humidity for the emergence of the fruit.

11. 2. Method for growing avocado trees in containers according to claim 1, characterized in that said artificial pollination is carried out by manual and / or mechanical sprinklers applied directly to said trees during flowering.

12. 2. A method of growing avocado trees in containers according to claim 1, characterized in that the control of the size of the trees is achieved by pruning each branch that has been bearing fruit for two years.

13. 13. A method of growing avocado trees in containers according to claim 12, characterized in that each year pruned productive trees are recycled and used as mulch.

14. 2. A method for growing avocado trees in containers according to claim 1, characterized in that the control of pests and diseases is carried out daily by monitoring and manual control.

15. 2. Method for growing avocado trees in containers according to claim 1, characterized in that the biological control is carried out by microorganisms of the type Trichoderma harzianum T-78 and Glomus iranicum tenuihypharim var., Bacillus subtilis and Metarhizium anisopliae, and also with fungal extracts, yeasts or marine algae.

16. 2. A method for growing avocado trees in a container according to claim 1, characterized in that the cultivation of the fruit is carried out manually or mechanically.

17. 17. The method of growing avocado trees in a container according to claim 16, characterized in that the avocado plants are of the Hass variety.

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