September 30 2008, 11:11

Russia: apples to be harvested in experimental gardens

The agrarians of Kabardino-Balkaria ha ve started harvesting apples, raised using the super intensive technology of orchard growing.

As it was reported by Vesti-Severnui Kavkaz, referring to the press-cutting service of the Ministry of agriculture and food of Kabardino-Balkaria, nearly 14 ha of orchards with using the super intensive technology were laid out in 2008. These orchards are experimental.

These apple varieties were cultivated especially for submountain zone,that meet the requirements of the climate conditions of Kabardino-Balkaria. The system of drip irrigation was set.

200 ha of orchards with using this technology are planed to be grown next year. The contract on supplying 500.000 of saplings from Italy has been already signed. The capital intensity of this project for 1 ha of orchards totals $59.635.

According to Tembulat Erkenov, the head of the Ministry of agriculture and food of Kabardino-Balkaria, the average yield in the extensive orchards totals 15 tonne/ha, and in the intensive ones varies within a range of 50-60 tonne/ha.