Objectives & implementation:

Presentation of the suitability and resilience of 50 old fruit varieties in terms of location and climate change-related challenges (vegetation period, precipitation distribution, late frost, etc.). This concerns in particular susceptibility to flower frost (flower date), susceptibility to fungal disease/sunfire, suitability for deep/highs and the date of ripening. The preparation is carried out by Arche Noah in cooperation with the Pomologens of OIKOS.

Results for practice:

Objective & Implementation:

Together with the Austrian Board of Trustees for Agricultural Engineering ÖKL, the time, labor and costs required to plan, establish and manage a modern M-SPS (from planting to the start of full yield) will be recorded and calculated in practice for the first time. In addition, real costs and yield potential will be estimated. Data from existing M-SPS will be integrated.

The resulting analysis tool is intended to provide farms with an objective decision-making aid for justifying an M-SPS in the future. So far, calculations of this kind have only been carried out in France.

Results for Practitioners:

Objective & Implementation:

Fruit from M-SPS clearly stands out in terms of health (Microbiome!), diversity of Flavors and varieties and ecology compared to fruit from conventional orchards. In addition, new assortments are grown that do not occur in intensive orchards. This new quality must therefore be reflected in a corresponding price.

Together, the partners of the OG are collecting innovative marketing approaches and examples with the support of successful initiatives (apfelwerkstatt.at, evaundadam.at). This is intended to show new ways of marketing from private customers to top Gastronomy and to further develop them. Organic harvest Styria is responsible to set a futher focus.

Results for Practitioners:

Objective & Implementation:

One of the key questions for farmers: How can the fruit from the SUPER-STANDARDTREES be harvested efficiently (by machine) as dessert & industrial fruit? Here, proven and tested practical approaches are brought together with (inter)national experience from consulting (including new technologies) in order to clearly demonstrate and further develop harvesting solutions. The internationally renowned team of the Technical Expert Group e.V. as strategic partner will provide decisive input here.

Results for Practitioners:

Objective & Implementation:

In order to grow future-proof SUPER-STANDARDTREES (3-12 m stem height), several aspects must be taken into account, including water supply, professional Pruning to SPS, machine-compatible shape Pruning, adjusted plant protection, adaptation of the system with regard to mechanical management (understory management & harvesting), especially with regard to the production of dessert fruit. This has to be developed, tried out in practice and tested with stakeholders from the OG. The results will be illustrated and analysed using Drone images. Existing, older M-SPS (pilot sites) will be integrated.

Results for practice:

Objectives & implementation:

First development of a standard, including a landmark set for planting plans for modern M-HPS. In particular, current and future location factors (climate change!), under-use (machine widths, etc.) and operational priorities (marketing, finishing) are taken into account. The planned M-HPS are implemented as practical demmo areas with three farmers from the Upper Austria Act.

Based on the experience of the OG, the standard developed will be evaluated and optimised.

Results for practice:

Objectives & implementation:

Creation of practical demosites for the production of climate-fited plant material:

1. Production of native seedling materials from autochthonous seed material with nurseries from the OG. The documents form the basis for M-HPS. The pilot demotops show the methodology and results thereof.
2. Creation of HPS direct sowing areas on areas of farmers from the OG in order to establish SUPERHOCHSTEMS with an optimally strong (choice) root system without root pruning. The method of direct sowing, for example: Climate resilience is becoming more and more important, there is so far no practical experience in fruit growing.

Results for practice:

Im Projekt SUPERHOCHSTÄMME wird ein neues, innovatives und modernes Mehrnutzen-Hochstamm-Produktionssystem (M-HPS) entwickelt, getestet und etabliert. Dieses muss die ökologische und ökonomische Realität des 21. Jahrhunderts gleichermaßen abbilden. HPS sind die zukunftstauglichen Nachfolger der in vielerlei Hinsicht nicht mehr zeitgemäßen, überalterten klassischen Streuobstwiesen.

Das zentrale Projektergebnis sind ein Handbuch und 7 Fact-Sheets als Praxis-Anleitung zur Umsetzung von Mehrnutzen-Hochstamm-Produktionssystemen auf landwirtschaftlichen Betrieben. Diese umfassen die Themen:

1. Sämlingsunterlagen & Direktsaat
2. Standards für Bepflanzungspläne für moderne M-HPS
3. Sorteneignung
4. Praxis der Kulturführung von M-HPS
5. Maschinelle Ernte
6. Vermarktung / Inwertsetzung von Produkten aus M-HPS
7. Wirtschaftlichkeit von M-HPS

Gemeinsam mit Fach-Expert*innen und Praktiker*innen werden neue Methodiken und Handlungsempfehlungen, die den Herausforderungen des 21. Jahrhunderts entsprechen, erarbeitet und (weiter-)entwickelt.