Original scientific paper

Classic (extensive) orchards in Croatia

Zlatko Čmelik ; Agronomski fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska

Abstract

Croatia has very favourable ecological conditions for growing fruit trees. The tradition of growing fruit trees has a long history, and fruit was cultivated at almost all farms, and partly in the urban areas. Intensive cultivation of fruit trees began to expand significantly from the middle of last century. Intensive farming to some extent pushed
interest for the classic growing system and the existing classic orchards were generally not managed properly and were largely neglected. In recent years, the classic orchards made again become current. Their role is reflected in the preservation of genetic diversity, both fruit species, and plants in general. The special value of these orchards is reflected in the preservation of the typical landscape of rural areas, as well as the basics of organic production of fruits and fruit products. In respect of the total acreage of orchards in Croatia, intensive (plantation) orchards occupy 24%, and the remaining part of about 21 800 ha are traditional orchards. In
some counties, the share of traditional orchards is significantly higher, so for example in Krapinsko-zagorska, Karlovačka, Varaždinska, Primorsko-goranska and Ličko-eenjska, where classic orchards occupy more than 95% of the area under the fruit. Among the fruit species mostly traditionally grown are cherries (92.0%), followed by: nut (90.0%), plums (89.9%), apricots (87.2%), pears (75.4%), cherries (73.4%), while a significantly lower share is that of peaches and nectarines (53.3%), and the lowest are apples
(43.2%).

Keywords

fruit growing; area covered by classic orchards; extensive cultivating; perspective of classic orchards

Hrčak ID:

69023

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/69023

Publication date:

2.4.2011.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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