GARDENING

The varied climatic, topographic, and soil conditions of Israel make it possible to grow a wide variety of fruit crops. Our gardeners produce, among others, juicy citruses, creamy avocados, kiwis, aromatic guavas and juicy mangos in the orchards of the coastal lowlands, ruddy peaches and nectarines, delicate bananas and other subtropical fruits, and crispy apples, delicious pears, and delicate cherries and cherries ripen in the cool air of the northern hills.

The total fruit harvest is almost 1.5 million tons, of which about two-thirds is citrus. About 25 percent is exported to Europe and other countries, especially in the off-season, when prices are high for our exporters.

Many gardeners have made great strides in obtaining the maximum yield (in tons per hectare), for example, apples - 70; bananas - 100; plums - 30; apricots - 35; grapes - 45; peaches - 40; mango - 40; and pears - 30.

This would not have been possible if farmers, in close connection with scientific and research centers and the agricultural industry, did not introduce advanced methods, technologies, and equipment. This unique combination of forces has led to the creation of a perfectly organized industry in which the entire technological process is connected in a single chain, from optimal gardening, growing crops, harvesting, packaging, and storing products.

In research centers, for example, a technology for growing planting material of bananas based on tissue culture has been developed. This technology allows you to grow banana seedlings, free from diseases, strictly specified varietal characteristics. Today, the plant in Kibbutz Ginosar fully meets the needs of Israeli banana growers, and exports virus-free planting material abroad in huge quantities. Ana's apple variety was developed by our breeders. especially for cultivation in hot climates, and today it has spread among gardeners in many countries.

MECHANIZATION

A series of new generation machines have been developed to make garden work easier, such as the hydraulic lift with cab, allowing workers to reach the top branches. Can be controlled by heading from tree to tree and going up or down to the desired height. In addition to the standard model, a particularly tall model for tall trees has been developed.

Newly developed and manufactured equipment including special extendable spray arms for use in deciduous gardens. This machine allows you to process trees as accurately as possible, even on slopes. Other new developments include a system for pruning and shaping trees, and new fruit storage containers with different types of ventilation.

BIOLOGICAL PROTECTION OF PLANTS

A fruit growing system has been developed with minimal use of chemicals to avoid harm to the ecosystem and the environment. For example, 85 percent of Israeli citrus plantations use a biological pest management system (IPM) program that uses artificially reared natural predators, such as special species of wasps and other insects, to minimize pest losses and the need for chemicals.

GRAPE

The foundation of the first vineyards in Israel was carried out over 100 years ago. Subsequently, the plantings were expanded with a number of varieties, allowing the production of excellent white and red wines, which have repeatedly won high awards at international tastings and exhibitions. Vineyards are established not only under normal conditions but for the first time in the world and in the desert, using brackish groundwater and geothermal waters for irrigation.

CITRUS

Citrus fruits, the country's oldest export product, continues to be one of the main export products, and hundreds of thousands of tons of oranges, pink and white grapefruits, lemons, Pamela, and a range of easy-to-peel tangerines, juices, and other products are sent abroad annually. In addition to the traditional varieties and varieties, there are a number of exotic citrus fruits such as lime, kumquat (Chinese orange), Liaquat (small juicy lemon), and red and white Pamela. We are now focused on breeding new varieties with smaller seeds, longer shelf life. , early and late ripening, with the possibility of extending the harvesting season and marketing. A unique project in the desert area of ​​the northern Negev includes thousands of hectares of citrus fruits equipped with irrigation systems using treated wastewater.

The experience of Israeli gardeners is successfully applied in many countries of the world, especially in countries with extreme natural climatic conditions.