Afghanistan Almond Nursery Manual Prepared by John Driver, Mark Bell, and Corky Lovin University of California Davis for Roots of Peace Project funded by European Union May, 2009 For more information visit: International Programs ipresources.ucdavis.edu The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of UC Davis and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union. Copyright © UC Regents Davis campus, 2009. All Rights Reserved. Table of Contents 1. Manual Objectives ....................................................................................... 3 2. Overview of Program Priorities for Establishing an Effective Almond Nursery Management and “Certification” System in Afghanistan ................. 3 3. Almond Nursery Management .................................................................... 6 3.1 Benefits of True-to-Type Trees ................................................................ 6 3.2 Establish Mother Nurseries as Demonstration Farms .............................. 6 3.2.1 Budwood Source Material ................................................................. 6 3.2.2 Site Selection, Site Security and Site Preparation ............................. 8 3.2.3 Identification, Mapping and Record Maintenance of Individual Varieties Within the Mother Block .................................................................. 8 3.2.4 Rootstock .......................................................................................... 9 3.2.5 Viral Disease Indexing ....................................................................... 9 3.2.6 Identification and Transportation Procedures for Outgoing Plant Materials ........................................................................................................ 9 3.2.7 Sanitation Practices......................................................................... 10 3.2.8 Management and Extension Material .............................................. 10 3.3 Grow Out Nursery .................................................................................. 17 3.3.1 Nursery Site Selection and Site Preparation ................................... 17 3.3.2 Nursery Management ...................................................................... 17 3.3.3 Tree Digging and Handling .............................................................. 20 3.3.4 Quality (standards) (e.g., buds, seed size) ...................................... 20 3.4 Record Keeping ..................................................................................... 21 3.5 Resources .............................................................................................. 22 4. Glossary ..................................................................................................... 23 Appendix 1. Draft List of Extension Material to be Developed ..................... 25 Appendix 2. Framework for Afghan Nursery Best Practices (Certification Standards) ......................................................................................................... 26 Appendix 3. Example Certification System .................................................... 27 Appendix 4. 2007 Survey Findings - Summary .............................................. 28 Almonds in bloom, Afghanistan & California (Photos: Driver & UCANR) Note: All photos unless otherwise indicated © IPO, UC Davis 2009 2 1. Manual Objectives The objectives of this manual are to help those working in the Afghanistan Almond industry: 1. Understand why standards for trees and product are important in developing markets 2. Be able to identify and produce true-to-type trees a. Develop draft best practices for mother nursery/demonstration plots and grow out nurseries b. Develop draft extension materials 2. Overview of Program Priorities for Establishing an Effective Almond Nursery Management and “Certification” System in Afghanistan Based on Roots of Peace experience and University of California, Davis (UC Davis) field surveys, an assessment was made of how to develop a “Certification” system for Almonds nurseries in Afghanistan. The following outlines the major steps of the program: Goal: Produce true-to-type Almond trees 1. Demonstration farm/mother block. A joint demonstration farm/mother block should be established by the nurserymen. As a nursery, true-to-type trees will be planted and produced as part of a demonstration farm. Best Almond growing practices will be extended and the benefits of improved trees promoted. Nursery structure: In the long term, nurseries will move to a separate mother block nursery/demonstration farm - from nursery system A to B A B Mother source tree 3 2. Mother nursery material. Budwood for the demonstration farm/mother block will come from a single source (Perennial Horticulture Development Program - PHDP) for the following varieties: a. Satar Bayee b. Khairuddini c. Qahar bayee d. Qambary In addition, exotic material will be sought for: e. Non Pareil f. Carmel g. Butte h. Padre Perennial Horticulture Roots of Peace Development Program (PHDP) Exotic Budwood and True-to-type Budwood Rootstock U C Davis 1 2 3 Etc. Nurseries Technical support True-to-type trees, extension advice Farmers Figure: Schematic of budwood, true-to-type tree and extension information flow 3. Rootstock. Each nurseryman will establish their own seed tree for future rootstock production. Roots of Peace will provide either the seed or a true-to-type seedling or grafted seedling. One exotic seed tree (e.g., nemaguard) will also be considered. 4. Viral disease indexing. Over time a process of Disease testing (e.g., ELISA) will be introduced to spot check mother blocks. This will be done through Roots of Peace. 5. Best Practices. Best Practices will be developed by the Nurserymen in collaboration with Roots of Peace. This activity will be an on-going process supported by UC Davis developed extension materials and UC Davis training. 4 6. Extension materials. The lists below represent priorities identified to date. a. Nursery extension material. UC Davis in collaboration with local partners will develop materials for: i. Nutrition ii. Red spider – IPM and control options iii. Thrip control options iv. Rotation (3 year target) v. Irrigation – root death – defoliation – Shot-hole complex. Drain within 24 hours vi. Disease management vii. Weeds viii. Handling. 1. Color coding before digging 2. Budwood tagging ix. Digging – moving from shovel to mechanization. Principles of root development. b. Production extension material. Material will be developed for: i. Training and pruning ii. Orchard layout management iii. Pollination Note: Given the time frame, this element of Almond work in Afghanistan will not be possible with new exotic trees. Nurserymen will produce and demonstrate true-to-type Almonds taken from existing and proven in-country (PHDP) germplasm. However, it is expected that in related activities, Roots of Peace will be working with nurserymen on exotic materials for future development and promotion. Healthy true-to-type trees with improved management practices such as pruning will increase Almond production (Photos UC Davis IPM) 5 3. Almond Nursery Management This section provides more detail on nursery management. 3.1 Benefits of True-to-Type Trees True-to-type seedlings are identical to their parents giving the same quality fruit and having the same tolerances of diseases and pests. Such trees result in a more standard product which facilitates product handling, processing and marketing. Ultimately, industries based on true-to-type trees give greater returns to the producers. Key point True-to-type trees ultimately give greater returns to producers. 3.2 Establish Mother Nurseries as Demonstration Farms Nurseries are to establish joint demonstration/ mother blocks. The nurseries are to establish their “Best Practices” so that the mother blocks can also be used both for extension of information to farmers as well as providing true-to-type materials. Key points Nurseries are to develop a set of “Best practices” for a. Mother nursery management, b. Grow out nursery management, c. Seedling product quality, and d. Production practice extension materials for priority problems – including materials on the “benefits of true-to-type trees”. 3.2.1 Budwood Source Material Budwood for the demonstration farm/mother block will come from a single source (PHDP) for the following varieties: a. Satar Bayee b. Khairuddini c. Qahar bayee d. Qambary The nurserymen will move from the present system (A) where mother trees are spread across a range of locations to developing a separate mother block nursery/demonstration farm (B) – see figure. 6 A B Mother source tree Coinciding with these early developments, it is expected that Roots of Peace will be introducing new “exotic” rootstock materials (e.g., Nemaguard) and exotic budwood such as: a. Non Pareil b. Carmel c. Butte d. Padre for comparison and demonstration purposes (See following figure). Material flow for immediate Material flow for industry impact expansion and medium to long term impact PHDP Roots of Peace True-to-type Exotic Budwood and Budwood Rootstock UC Davis 1 2 3 Etc. Nurseries Technical support True-to-type trees, extension advice Farmers Figure: Schematic of budwood, true-to-type tree and extension information flow 7 Key points 1. Budwood for the demonstration farm/mother block will come from a single source (PHDP) 2. Nurseries will develop a centrally located mother nursery which will also be used as a production demonstration block. 3.2.2 Site Selection, Site Security and Site Preparation Almonds do best with full sun and in well-drained loam-textured soils that are at least 1-2 meters deep. Fertile sandy loam soils are best. Avoid growing Almonds in very sandy or shallow soils. Almonds produce well in areas with adequate chilling (400 to 500 hours below 7° C). As Almonds bloom early, avoid planting where late spring frost occurs. Soil problems such as compaction, plow pans, reduce tree development and productivity. These possible problems must be diagnosed and eliminated before the trees are planted in an orchard. If a site has shallow soil due to a hardpan, try to break through the hardpan when preparing the site. Avoid planting in low spots or in areas that flood frequently. Trees must have good drainage Plant trees at least 5-6 m apart to reduce the probability of poor growth due to competition. When planting, allow for any settling of the soil which can result in the tree being in a hollow (as in the above picture on the left). Thus, plant the tree slightly high allowing for the tree and soil to settle. Alternately, you may wish to dig a hole and apply animal manure, etc.. Backfill the hole and place a stick in the middle of the hole. Allow 2-3 weeks for the soil to settle and then plant the tree. Key point Almonds require good drainage. Avoid planting in low poorly drained spots. 3.2.3 Identification, Mapping and Record Maintenance of Individual Varieties Within the Mother Block As the new nurseries are established, all nurseries trees must be clearly marked and records must be kept 8 indicating genetic sources with a map to indicate tree location. Specifically, nurseries should clearly identify source trees used for rootstock seed and budwood with two forms of physical identification (such as tree staking, tree branding and/or attaching a tag). In addition, nurseries will maintain a plot map indicating source trees and their specific varietal names. Key point Clearly mark budwood trees and keep a map showing budwood tree type and location 3.2.4 Rootstock Bitter Almond – of non-select parentage and unknown history bought in bazaars – is presently the primary source of rootstock. Each nurseryman is to establish their own seed tree for future use as rootstock. Roots of Peace will work with Nurserymen to identify appropriate seed or a mother source for bitter Almond. Roots of Peace will provide either the seed or a true-to-type seedling or grafted seedling. One exotic seed tree for each nursery will also be considered. UCD will work with Roots of Peace to identify such possible new rootstock (e.g., nemaguard) to lay the groundwork for possible future diversification of rootstock material. Key point Each nursery is to establish its own seed bitter Almond tree for rootstock. 3.2.5 Viral Disease Indexing Maintaining healthy and disease free nurseries is a major goal of any best practices/certification system. UCD will recommend to Roots of Peace appropriate Elisa or other testing kits and provide training to introduce a system of spot checking for the mother blocks and demonstration nurseries. Roots of Peace will lead this initiative. Key point Over time, nurseries will need to establish procedures to show they are disease free. 3.2.6 Identification and Transportation Procedures for Outgoing Plant Materials Budwood is to be bundled and tagged at the time of collection to help reduce mistakes in subsequent tree identification. Product saplings are to be marked by variety with color according to agreed industry-wide codes. 9 Clear labeled and documented trees, budwood and nursery trees is essential (photos IPO, UCD) Key point Nurserymen must develop an agreed color coding system for easy identification of budwood bundles 3.2.7 Sanitation Practices Sanitation is the best tool to prevent the introduction and spread of pests and diseases into orchards. In particular, perennial weeds, nematodes, and some diseases can be difficult to control once trees are established. Steps to take • Prevent the introduction or spread of infestations by removing and immediately burning infected limbs and fruit. • Disinfect cutting tools periodically during pruning and at any time that they come into direct contact with diseased tissue. • Clean equipment used in other areas to avoid introducing pathogens, nematodes, or weeds. • Remove stumps, brush piles, and debris which can harbor diseases as well as vertebrates and insects. • Remove roosting, nesting, or resting areas that may attract large numbers of crop-destroying birds. • Keep the area about the tree crown free of weeds to reduce crown rot infections. • Spot-treat or remove perennial weeds to prevent their spread. Key point Each nursery is to establish its own priority sanitation practices. 3.2.8 Management and Extension Material True-to-type trees will be produced and the joint mother nursery/demonstration farm can be used to demonstrate best Almond growing practices and to highlight the benefits of improved trees. Extension materials need to be developed to support grow-out nursery management and production. Priorities for commercial production support should be to develop materials for: Pruning (priority) o 10