Productivity and Economic Efficiency of Apple Cultivar Cultivation in Intensive Orchards

Abstract

The article presents the results of a study evaluating winter apple cultivars in intensive-type orchards. The aim of the research was to compare the productivity, market quality, and economic efficiency of the winter apple culti- vars: Renet Simirenko (control), Golden Delicious, Red Jonaprince, Erovan, Pinova, and Fuji in the intensive orchard of the LLC “Kharkiv Fruit Company” located in the Chuhuiv district of the Kharkiv region.It was established that over the three years of research, the highest total yield was obtained from the GoldenDelicious and Red Jonaprince cultivars – 131.2 and 127.6 tons per hectare, respectively. A slightly lower yield – 119.4 t/ha – was recorded for the Pinova cultivar. Fuji trees yielded 108 t/ha over the same period. The lowest produc- tivity was observed in the Erovan and Renet Simirenko cul- tivars – 100.8 and 99.6 t/ha, respectively.The study revealed that the lowest percentage of fruits with a diameter of 70 mm or more was observed in the Erovan and Fuji cultivars – 56.6% and 57.3%, respectively.Pinova provided 62.4% of fruits in the analyzed size range.According to the results, only the Red Jonaprince cultivar had about 75% of fruits with a diameter above 70 mm. The share of fruits larger than 70 mm in the Golden Delicious and Renet Simirenko cultivars was 73.8% and 72.6%, respectively.An analysis of the total product value showed that the highest figures – 656.5 and 611.9 thousand UAH per hec- tare – were obtained from the Golden Delicious and Red Jonaprince cultivars. These results were achieved due to higher yields and the maximum share of fruits around 70 mm in diameter. The lowest product value – 485.5 thou- sand UAH/ha – was recorded for the control cultivar Renet Simirenko, despite its relatively high market quality.The study confirmed that the highest profitability levels were provided by the Golden Delicious and Red Jonaprince cultivars – 63.7% and 53.95%, respectively. Erovan showed slightly lower profitability – 49.4%. The control cultivar Renet Simirenko showed the lowest profitability – 31.4%.Thus, when establishing intensive orchards under the conditions of the Kharkiv region, it is advisable to plant the apple cultivars Golden Delicious, Red Jonaprince, and Erovan. These cultivars proved to be more economically effective due to their high yield indicators, good market quality, and adaptation to local climatic conditions.