Viveros Hernandorena is strongly promoting its innovation strategy in the nursery sector through the Carob Tree Project. This ambitious initiative aims to professionalize carob tree cultivation in Spain, making it the leading producer of this emerging crop in Europe by surface area, quality, and technical expertise.
"We firmly believe in the potential of carob as a profitable, sustainable alternative adapted to climate change, especially in warm areas such as the Valencian Community, the Balearic Islands, or the south of the peninsula. To have a professional cultivation, we must start with a quality plant and a well-designed agronomic system," stated Rosa Hernandorena, commercial director of Viveros Hernandorena.
© VIVERS HERNANDORENA, S.L. Carob tree plants at a nursery
Carob Tree project: Innovation and transfer to producers
The Carob Tree project is structured into two main lines of work. The first is the improvement of the nursery plant production system: "We have been working on R&D since 2011 to optimize grafting, improve rooting, and reduce production costs without losing quality. Our goal is to be able to offer carob plants on a large scale, in pots, and with a professional guarantee," Hernandorena stated.
The second is the modernization of the crop to intensify the planting framework, increase productivity, and accelerate its entry into production. To do this, the company is testing new varieties, planting frameworks, pruning techniques, fertigation, and harvesting systems at its experimental field in collaboration with the Asociación Empresas Innovadoras de la Garrofa (EiG), the University of the Balearic Islands, the University of Bari (Puglia, Italy), and other research centres such as the IVIA. "We want to demonstrate with real data how to intensify the crop without losing sustainability, so farmers can choose the formula that best suits their farms," she stated.
The experimental field visits take place every 15-20 days. The latest technical seminar was carried out on June 12. "We are surprised by the level of interest. More and more farmers and technicians are coming to see the results, exchange experiences, and receive training. That's the key: creating a technical community around professional carob production," she stated.
This year, Viveros Hernandorena has already grafted more than 100,000 carob plants, which are currently sprouting in greenhouses. They should be ready for the market from September onwards.
© VIVERS HERNANDORENA, S.L. Stone fruit plants in a field nursery
Season results and progress in other crops
In addition to carob, the company has had an excellent winter and spring season, with record kaki national sales and exports, and good performance of pomegranate and stone fruit trees. "Almond tree plant sales were more moderate, but we are confident that interest will recover thanks to the rise in almond prices and the recent improvement in water resources," she stated.
In stone fruit trees, the company has developed an intense micro-grafting campaign with certified hybrid rootstocks, reaching 150,000 plants this spring, already at their field nursery. "We are expanding our offer of subspecies such as platerinas, donut peaches, plums, and peaches. The aim is to cover all the professional demand with varieties from the main national and international breeders," she added.
Technology serving modern nurseries
The incorporation of ozone conservation chambers has made it possible to extend bare root plant deliveries until the end of May without incident. "This has been a revolution for the sector. It increases commercial flexibility and improves stock management. Producers also benefit because they can receive the plant on better dates, without pressure," Hernandorena stated.
For more information:
Viveros Hernandorena
Email: info@hernandorena.com
www.hernandorena.com