As an Irish fruit research officer, I had the incredible opportunity to travel to New Zealand, a country renowned for its cutting-edge apple industry; it is the world’s 6th-largest apple exporter, worth an estimated €570 million in 2024. It boasts average yields of 61 tonnes per ha but up to 120 tonnes/ha in new training systems. With a small land mass and latitude closer to the equator than Ireland, New Zealand receives high light intensity without very high temperatures.
From January 19-24, 2025, I joined leading scientists and orchard professionals at the XIII International Symposium on Integrating Canopy, Rootstock, and Environmental Physiology in Orchard Systems in Napier. It was an inspiring event, and I was particularly proud to share the exciting progress we’re making in re-establishing apple research in Ireland – a significant milestone after a gap of more than four decades! The symposium covered scientific lectures introducing the latest research with field visits to see orchard demonstrations.
My presentation, “Apple research re-establishment in Ireland: preliminary information on varietal, rootstock, and training system performance,” highlighted how far we’ve come in revitalising the Irish apple industry. Our focus is on innovative orchard practices to boost production and fruit quality.
Pushing the Boundaries of Orchard Science
The symposium was an important network of global orchard research and innovation. Sessions covered diverse aspects of orchard physiology, management, and innovation. Discussions explored how scientific advancements can enhance productivity, efficiency, and resilience in modern orchards.
Research underscored the intricate link between tree water potential, fruit transpiration, and surface conductance. Fluctuations in these factors, it was shown, profoundly influence fruit size, firmness, and susceptibility to physiological disorders. The integration of advanced monitoring techniques, such as stem psychrometers and fruit dendrometers, into precision irrigation models holds real promise for optimising water use and enhancing fruit quality.
Modern orchard systems are evolving, with a clear shift towards high-density plantings that maximise light interception and improve fruit quality. Presentations delved into the impact of row spacing (1.8–2.2 m), canopy angles, and multi-leader architectures on light distribution and yield potential. It is clear that adapting these approaches requires a long-term commitment from growers, as significant changes in orchard design can often take up to a decade to implement.
Climate variability is a growing concern in New Zealand. As a result, real-time temperature
monitoring is becoming crucial for mitigating sunburn damage and optimising fruit colour. The gradual adoption of disease-resistant cultivars, including ‘GoodnessMe™’, ‘Sassy™’ and ‘Topaz’, which exhibit enhanced resistance to apple scab and powdery mildew, is emerging in commercial and small-scale orchards, with potential to reduce reliance on plant protection products.
The role of rootstocks in determining tree vigour, nutrient uptake, and stress tolerance remains a major research focus. Presentations showcased the latest advancements in 3D root modelling, providing insights into rootstock architecture and its impact on orchard performance. Comparative trials evaluated how emerging rootstocks influence fruit quality, water efficiency, and resilience to environmental stressors.
The symposium reinforced the importance of data-driven decision-making and long-term orchard planning. By integrating these scientific insights, growers can refine their management strategies and ensure sustainable, high-yielding orchards for the future.
New Zealand’s Orchard Innovation
One of the most exciting trends shaping the future of apple production in New Zealand is the increasing adoption of two-dimensional (2D) multileader, “planar” orchard systems. Developed through a valuable collaboration between Plant & Food Research and innovative commercial growers, these systems involve training trees with up to 8–10 vertical leaders arranged in a narrow plane. This creative design significantly improves light interception (approaching 85%) and simplifies canopy management—both crucial factors for enhancing fruit quality and yield potential. Initially trialled in the early 2010s on varieties like Jazz using M9 rootstocks, these systems are now gaining serious traction as orchards seek to optimise labour efficiency and prepare for future automation, including robotic thinning and digital orchard modelling.
A field trip during the symposium demonstrated firsthand how these systems are changing the orchard industry in NZ. It showcased how research-driven design is being translated into commercial orchard innovation. The visit included impressive high-density Rockit apple systems, as well as a pioneering cordon planar orchard planted with M9 and G202 rootstocks.
There were several key insights from the tour that I believe are highly relevant for Irish growers:
High-Density Yields: planar cordon orchards, spaced at 2.2 m between rows and reaching 3.5 m in height, and V-trellis systems that were producing an impressive 100–120 tons per hectare by years 6–7. This stands in stark contrast to just 45 tons in conventional single-leader systems, highlighting the significant yield potential.
Labour Efficiency: A clear shift towards a “one task at a time” orchard management approach was evident. Here, individual jobs were completed in multiple passes rather than multitasking. This method, despite requiring more frequent trips through the orchard, demonstrably improved efficiency. This “one task at a time” approach could be a game-changer for our labour-intensive operations here in Ireland.
Addressing Challenges: Common threats observed included black spot, European canker, apple aphids, and codling moth, underscoring the ongoing need for robust pest and disease management strategies.
Reducing Russeting: The planar cordon systems demonstrated a lower incidence of russeting compared to traditional 3D canopy structures, a crucial factor for maintaining fruit quality and market appeal.
System Design Innovations: The M9 rootstock system incorporated an 8-leader design at a 20-degree cordon angle, while G202 supported 10 leaders, both reaching heights of approximately 3.3 meters. In parallel, experimental trials also featured re-grafted trees trained to a V-trellis system, offering an alternative 2D structure with strong early productivity and promising canopy uniformity. Notably, re-grafted trees in the V-trellis system performed significantly better during the early establishment phase compared to trees in the adjacent replanted area, demonstrating earlier fruit set and more balanced growth.
Blind Wood Issues: While blind wood is commonly linked to inadequate winter chilling, occurrences have also been noted in certain varieties despite sufficient chilling accumulation. This suggests additional factors may be at play, and this has also been observed in some varieties under Irish conditions, even when winter chilling accumulation was not lacking.
Looking Ahead: Lessons for the Irish Apple Industry
The symposium reinforced the importance of continued investment in orchard research and
the adoption of best practices from globally recognised apple-growing regions, such as New Zealand.
Key insights—particularly in training systems, rootstock performance, and canopy
management—will help shape Ireland’s ongoing efforts to modernise its orchards and enhance long-term sustainability.
It is encouraging to see that the actions taken by Teagasc’s apple applied research program
are aligned with strategies already implemented in well-established apple-producing countries. Over the past three years, significant progress has been made in re-establishing research, supporting growers, and expanding knowledge in crucial areas. While there is still much to explore, the momentum gained so far provides a strong foundation for continued growth.
By maintaining this pace of progress and fostering international collaboration, Ireland is well on its way to developing a robust apple research program that equips growers with essential knowledge. Advancing research in key areas will ensure that Irish apple production remains competitive, resilient, and ready to meet future challenges with confidence.
More information about the Symposium, including the final programme and the presentation abstracts can be seen at https://scienceevents.eventsair.com/orchard-systems/programme.
Scan the QR code or visit @irishappleresearch to learn more and see behind-the-scenes from our apple research programme!
Alberto Ramos Luz is a Fruit Research Officer in the Horticulture Development Department at Teagasc Oak Park. You can reach him at alberto.ramosluz@teagasc.ie.
