New Almond Orchard in Salento: Launching the Zaragoza Training System

In the Salento area, in the province of Brindisi, alongside olive groves severely affected by Xylella fastidiosa, an increasing number of productive reconversion initiatives can be observed. Among the solutions adopted, almond cultivation represents a concrete and strategic choice.

In this case, the project began with the removal of an old almond orchard managed under traditional practices, followed by the establishment of a new planting based on the Zaragoza training system. Soil conditions did not allow for deep ripping, so localized soil preparation was carried out through mechanical crushing in volumes of approximately 60–70 cm in width and 80 cm in depth. Although more costly, this approach creates a favorable environment for early root development by concentrating water and nutrients within the worked zone.

Planting was carried out using a mechanical transplanter. Immediately afterward, the main stem was cut at approximately 90–95 cm, ensuring that the graft union remained well exposed to the air. Each plant was supported with a plastic stake and secured using a double tie with Bandofix, an elastic material that prevents constriction. In the first 40 cm, a protective shelter was also installed to guard against rodent damage and potential phytotoxic effects from herbicides.

A critical aspect concerns the stake: it must not exceed the height of the stem cut but should have a total length of at least 120–130 cm to ensure effective anchorage in the soil. This is essential because, during the initial phase, the plant exhibits structural imbalance and a high “sail effect” under wind exposure.

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The adopted planting layout is 6 × 3 meters (approximately 550 trees per hectare), which is now a reference standard for the Zaragoza system. The decision to maintain a clear trunk height of 70–80 cm is linked to the future use of mechanical harvesting with a trunk shaker.

With the onset of spring vegetative growth, a simple yet decisive management practice will be applied: shoots between 70 and 90 cm will be retained, while those below 70 cm will be manually removed. This one time intervention is sufficient to properly establish the plant structure.

Subsequently, the orchard will enter the topping and edging phase, which is essential for building the productive wall. The objective is to achieve a compact tree with a radius of 1.2–1.3 meters and a canopy shaped like a truncated pyramid, with external walls inclined at approximately 30–35 degrees, creating an efficient and fully mechanizable structure.

The production target is 7–10 kg per tree. However, the real outcome is determined at the outset: starting with a clear and well defined protocol helps avoid structural mistakes that cannot be corrected later.

Official editorial note:

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

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