Spot Replanting of Japanese Pear by Planting 3 Trees per Stock and 1-Main Branch Training

Abstract

We developed an effective technique of spot replanting to promote early high yield in young trees of Japanese pear ‘Kosui’ and ‘Keisui.’ Planting 3 trees per stock and 1-main branch training promoted shoot growth. They increased lateral branches more than the usual 1 tree and 3-main branch training in 2–5 years young trees aged 2–5 years. As a result, the yield of young trees aged 3–5 years was high and lead to increases in growth and fruit quality in maturing orchards five years after replanting. This result suggested that 1-main branch training strengthens tree vigor more than 3-main branch training and increases lateral branches in early stages after replanting. It follows from this that the increase of lateral branches leads to early high yields when applying the pruning technique of using 1-year lateral branches. These results showed that 3 trees per stock and 1-main branch training effectively promted early high product spot replanting.