Classic Zaragoza System: Comparing “Penta” and “Makako” in the Heart of Spain

While in Zaragoza, I could not miss the opportunity to document in the field the classic “Zaragoza” system, developed in this very region from a joint idea by agronomists Vito Vitelli and Jordi Mor Gaya. Today, it stands as a benchmark for modern almond growing and arboriculture. The observed orchard is designed with a spacing of 5 meters between rows and 2 meters within the row, equivalent to approximately 1,000 trees per hectare, and features a simple yet effective structure: a clean trunk up to about 80 cm, followed by an orderly arrangement of productive branches.

A distinctive aspect of this observation is the direct comparison between two varieties planted in adjacent plots: “Penta” and “Makako”, both developed by the CEBAS CSIC research center in Murcia, Spain, an internationally recognized institution in almond breeding.

The orchard, established in 2020, demonstrates a good onset of production and a well defined vegetative productive balance. The trees appear compact, with short internodes and moderate vigor, clearly indicating proper interaction between planting density and physiological response, as well as consistent canopy management according to the classical Zaragoza framework.

Video

The Zaragoza system is based precisely on this principle: creating a form of competition, or rather a controlled dialogue between trees along the row through the interaction of root systems, in order to limit excessive vegetative growth and promote a balanced structure. Under these conditions, the tree tends to self regulate, reducing the need for drastic interventions and enabling simpler and more efficient management.

Internal branching is still present but will be progressively thinned through gradual interventions referred to as “palm of the hand” and “light cone”, aimed at improving light distribution and canopy aeration without disrupting the overall balance.

From a varietal perspective, “Penta” and “Makako” share a key trait: late flowering, occurring between late March and early April, a strategic characteristic for reducing the risk of spring frost damage. In fact, the previous year 2022 saw a significant frost event in the area that compromised production.

In the current season, with the video recorded in June 2023, a good production recovery can be observed. “Makako” shows a more evident fruit load, while “Penta” stands out for slightly smaller fruit size, although still commercially and qualitatively valid.

This experience confirms that the success of the system does not depend solely on the variety or planting density, but on the correct integration of orchard design, management practices, and plant behavior. This balance represents the key to achieving efficient, sustainable, and easily manageable production systems over time.

 

Editorial note:

Original content by Agronomist Vito Vitelli, developed and optimized with the support of artificial intelligence tools for educational, informational, and technical enhancement purposes.

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