Bergamot on the Strait of Messina: From Orchard establishment to the Supply Chain
Mario Iannò's Bergamot Grove 2024On 30 July 2024, we concluded our day at Mario Iannò’s bergamot orchard in Catona (Reggio Calabria), on the terraces overlooking the Strait of Messina, with Messina visible in the background. During the first part of the meeting, more than 50 participants attended. Now, as the sun sets towards Sicily, we take a moment to enjoy an aperitif among the rows. It is also an opportunity to review what we observed in the field.
The main section of the orchard
was transplanted in March 2023. The plants in the lower section and some in the
upper section, however, date from March 2024. The planting layout is 4 metres
between rows and 2 metres between plants within the row, a choice that allows a
continuous canopy to be established rapidly, but which will require careful
monitoring of canopy development and light penetration. In high-density citrus
orchards, canopy management is essential to maintain the productivity of the
different parts of the plant over time. www.nature.com
We discussed irrigation, raised
beds, and ground-cover management. On terraced land, a well-managed vegetative
cover can help reduce surface runoff and soil loss; however, during the early
stages of orchard establishment, competition for water must be carefully
controlled, particularly during the summer. www.frontiersin.org
On the younger plants, we carry
out targeted cuts on vigorously developing shoots. The response is the
production of new branches, allowing us to begin developing a well-distributed
canopy that will eventually accommodate the future fruiting branches. Season
after season, observation of the orchard will guide us in determining how best
to support the growth of the plants within the two metres of available space
along the row.
The day also gave us an
opportunity to consider processing and value addition. Involving the extraction
industry means designing a supply chain that begins with high-quality fruit
and makes full use of essential oil, juice, and candied products. The intended
use of the fruit should already be considered when planning the harvest:
studies on bergamot indicate that harvest timing influences both juice
characteristics and the composition of the essential oil. www.mdpi.com
Meanwhile, the participants enjoy
a moment of refreshment. In front of us are Mario’s orchard, the Strait, and
the sunset, a fitting conclusion to a day in which agronomic practice came
together with the local landscape and the opportunities offered by bergamot.
Editorial Note:
Original content by Agronomist
Dr. Vito Vitelli, developed and optimized with the support of artificial
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