Almond Orchard in Raffadali (Agrigento): High density, light management and mechanisable pruning

In Raffadali, together with Antonio Casalicchio of AgriCasalicchio Farm, we observe a young almond orchard designed to achieve early production while reducing labour requirements. The orchard is part of a diversified farming operation where olives, pomegranates, citrus, pistachios and almonds are cultivated side by side.

The Lauranne–Avijor almond trees, planted in April 2022, displayed well-developed canopies and promising fruit production during our visit in May 2025. The planting layout of 5 × 2 metres, equivalent to 1,000 trees per hectare, requires precise management to fill the available space rapidly without compromising light penetration into the productive canopy.

The training system follows the Zaragoza model, with a clear trunk of 70–80 cm and three rounds of upper and lateral trimming, known as topping and edging, to stimulate branching. These are followed by light horizontal trimming cuts of just a few centimetres, serving a “Calming” function by controlling apical shoot extension and encouraging the development of lateral branches. The intensity and frequency of these operations must be adjusted to tree vigour, supporting the early onset of fruit production. During production pruning, slight openings resembling the palm of an open hand, together with the maintenance of a light cone within the canopy, will complete the management strategy.

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Scientific research provides relevant insights. A study published in Hort Science in 2024, involving the University of Bari and researchers from Spain and New Zealand, highlights how the cultivar–rootstock combination influences tree architecture and its response to pruning. This reinforces the importance of adapting pruning practices to the specific characteristics of each tree.

As the branches spread under the weight of the fruit, the management strategy will incorporate reduction cuts and vegetation containment. The objective is to develop a canopy wall that is wider at the base and narrower at the top, suitable for mechanical pruning bars, with manual finishing where necessary. The inclination of approximately 33° from the vertical, discussed during the field visit, represents an adjustment that must be tailored to canopy development.

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Antonio reports that approximately 10 quintals per hectare (1 tonne per hectare) had already been harvested in 2024, less than two and a half years after planting. The farm's target is to achieve, at full production, 40–45 quintals per hectare (4–4.5 tonnes per hectare) of in-shell almonds, dried to a moisture content of 6–7%. The orchard also features a grass cover, a double drip-irrigation line buried at a depth of 10–15 cm, and a raised cultivation bed known as a “Baula”, designed to support harmonious root system development.

The modernity of this almond orchard is demonstrated in the field through early production, well-illuminated canopies and fewer labour hours per quintal harvested, helping to reduce overall labour requirements.

Editorial note:
Original content by Agronomist Vito Vitelli, developed and optimised with the support of artificial intelligence tools for educational, informational and technical communication purposes.

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