Optimizing organic apple production for cider

The objectives of this Operational Group are:

• Determine the ripening periods and the optimal times for harvesting the varieties grown in the A Estrada region, determining the evaluation criteria that the producer can easily manage and preparing approximate calendars according to the weather, which allows the organization of the harvesting and marketing of the product: control the alternate bearing on the farms to obtain a stable production over the years.
• It is necessary to thoroughly know the varieties from different areas and different farms in order to study the relationship with the microclimate in order to link it with the natural tendency regarding the production of local varieties and thus establish a pruning plan to reduce alternate bearing.
• Study the alternation or not of harvests in local cultivars in the region, proposing different pruning systems to control such alternations in the plantations in the area.
• Design an on-site training system for farmers on their own farms to improve production.