The 2024 almond harvest is arriving earlier than in previous years, marking an atypical season that serves as a reminder of the inherent variability in agriculture. No two seasons are ever the same. Central Valley growers recently faced an intense heat wave over the past two weeks that expedited harvest operations but that may be preferable to last year's relentless rains…
To help you maximize your crop, this edition of AlmondBeat emphasizes the essential protocols for a successful almond harvest. We highlight the pivotal role of Phytech dendrometers in ensuring uniform drying before the shake and provide a comprehensive, step-by-step guide for removing these devices pre-shake.
2024 AlmondBeat report #4, let's grow!
Information provided by Phytech’s Head of Agronomy, Ziv Attia, PhD and Key Account Management & Director of Digital Transformation, Mark Sherfy, MBV
Harnessing Dendrometers for Uniform Drying
The Importance of Pre-Shake Drying
One of the key challenges during harvest is the phenomenon of barking, where the bark detaches from the tree. This issue often arises due to poor equipment handling and improper irrigation practices that leave trees with excessive moisture. Such trees are prone to damage during the shaking process. Initiating a "drying out" phase before the shake helps prevent shaker damage and avoids field rutting, which can lead to nut loss.
Benefits:
Reduced Shaker Damage: Properly dried trees are less susceptible to shaker-induced harm.
Minimized Nut Loss: Prevents nuts from becoming lost due to field rutting.
Optimized Yield: Enhances the rate of harvested nuts.
Utilizing Dendrometers to Avoid Barking and Stick-Tights
Our analysis has indicated that most varieties will benefit from three stress days prior to shaking (independence will benefit from lower stress levels, 1-2 days), which substantially reduces shaker-induced harm, leading to a more efficient optimization of this phase. Adjusting irrigation, inducing stress (evident through a red plant status), and halting tree growth three days ahead of shaking could potentially result in bark-free trees and an improved rate of harvested nut yield. Another benefit of monitoring is that we do not want to over-stress our trees. This can cause “stick-tights” wherein the almonds become stuck and fail to come off when shaken. This can cause another round of shakes, a loss of nuts, or both. By closely monitoring and applying the appropriate amount of water and stress to your trees, the chances of stick-tights and barking drop dramatically.
Recommended Protocol:
Stress Days: Most almond varieties benefit from three stress days prior to shaking. Independence varieties may require only 1-2 stress days.
Monitoring: Use the dendrometers to track plant status and adjust irrigation to induce the appropriate level of stress. Aim for a red plant status, indicating halted growth, three days before the shake.
Supported by Research
This approach is corroborated by research from UC Davis led by Prof. Ken Shackel, who found that reduced trunk growth prior to shaking can lower tree susceptibility to shaker injury. Their study demonstrated that trees receiving excess irrigation before harvest were more likely to be damaged by the shaker compared to those under standard irrigation protocols.
Developed in collaboration with growers and supported by scientific research, these protocols and tools from Phytech are designed to advance the almond industry. By following the guidelines outlined in this AlmondBeat, you can ensure a successful and efficient almond shake, protecting your trees and maximizing your yield.
Removing Phytech Dendrometers Pre-Shake
This step-by-step guide ensures you can safely and efficiently remove the sensors before the shake, preserving their integrity for future use.
Sensor Removal: Gently unscrew the butterfly screw and rod to remove the dendrometers from the trunk, taking care not to damage the bark.
How-To Video: Removing Phytech Dendrometers
Post-Harvest: Irrigation Promotes Bud Differentiation
Following the shake, it's crucial to guide your trees back to a positive growth trajectory. Simply “pouring” water back on is insufficient; it's essential to monitor the trees' responses and make irrigation adjustments as needed. Phytech's growth data provides immediate and transparent insights into your trees' responses to irrigation, helping you make informed post-harvest decisions that promote bud differentiation and ensure future productivity.
Stay tuned for further updates in the 2024 AlmondBeat report. Happy harvesting!
Comments