Nursery Fruit Tree Architecture for Mur Fruitier Orchard Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Establishing 'mur fruitier' orchards from traditional nursery trees like Knip trees or pyramidal trees is challenging due to the need for severe pruning, which delays fruit production, affects quality, and requires extensive labor, as these trees are not well-suited for the rectangular hedge form and mechanical harvesting.
Innovation Solution
Nursery trees are manipulated to have optimal fruit-bearing capacity from an early stage by controlling branch growth and using growth regulators to achieve a balanced distribution of productive branches, a substantially uncut main stem, and branches inclined at 90°, allowing for continuous and balanced growth, reducing the need for intensive pruning and promoting mechanical harvesting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional Knip trees or pyramidal trees are used to establish 'mur fruitier' orchards, then the trees can be grown with standard nursery practices, but severe pruning is required which delays fruit production and increases labor costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by shaping the tree architecture during the nursery stage before planting in the orchard. The trees are trained to form the rectangular hedge structure with horizontal branches at 90° to the stem, so that when planted, they require minimal pruning and can immediately begin fruit production without the severe pruning delays associated with traditional Knip trees.
2Shape
If severe pruning is applied to traditional nursery trees to achieve 'mur fruitier' form, then the rectangular hedge structure can be formed, but fruit production is delayed and quality is affected
Solution Approach 1:
The desired rectangular hedge shape is formed during the nursery stage through controlled branching and growth regulation. The main stem is kept substantially uncut while horizontal branches are encouraged to grow at 90° to the stem, creating the correct architecture before planting so that no severe pruning is needed in the orchard and fruit production can begin immediately.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the growth parameters of the tree by using growth regulators and controlled environmental conditions during the nursery stage to achieve the specific architectural form required for 'mur fruitier' orchards. This includes controlling branch inclination angles, branch spacing, and overall tree shape to match the desired rectangular hedge configuration.
3Shape
If manual pruning is used to shape traditional nursery trees, then the desired tree architecture can be achieved, but labor costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The tree architecture is formed during the nursery stage when the trees are smaller and easier to manage, rather than requiring extensive manual pruning in the orchard. The rectangular hedge structure with horizontal branches is established in advance, so that when the trees are planted, they require minimal pruning and can be maintained with mechanical pruning systems, dramatically reducing labor costs.
4Adaptability or versatility
If traditional nursery trees are planted in 'mur fruitier' orchards, then the orchard can be established, but extensive pruning and mechanical harvesting adaptation is required
Solution Approach 1:
The nursery trees are pre-shaped to match the 'mur fruitier' system requirements, including the rectangular hedge form, horizontal branch orientation at 90° to the stem, and appropriate spacing. This preliminary architectural development ensures that the trees are already adapted to the mechanical pruning and harvesting systems used in 'mur fruitier' orchards, eliminating the need for complex adaptation procedures and reducing system complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The new tree type achieves earlier and sustained fruit production with improved quality, reduces labor costs, and is well-suited for the 'mur fruitier' system, enabling rapid and durable formation of orchards with minimal pruning and growth stimulation, thus enhancing operational stability and fruit quality.
Implementation Method 1
inducing the formation of branches by adding growth regulators to the top of the tree
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides a method for obtaining a new nursery-grown fruit tree with advantageous characteristics and the tree itself, ready for sale to growers to plant in orchards such as 'mur fruitier' orchards.