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Since four decades research on training systems at INRA (Institut National tree growth and fruiting patterns as a mean to improve training concepts and tools. The underlying principles of the training concepts developed nowadays arise from two initially independent and now merged streams of research. The first one is plant architecture (sensu Halle＇et al., 1978) which developed general concepts on growth, branching and fruiting within the entire plant kingdom, e.g. architectural model and reiteration. The other one is the apple tree typology (sensu Lespinasse and Delort 1986) with specific insights into vegetative growth-fruiting relationships. This article reviews (ⅰ) the main research concepts developed in both areas and (ⅱ) training considerations which stem from them. Two examples, taken from the recent history of training systems successively developed in France, will illustrate some of the architectural rules used to improve procedures better suited to the fruit tree biology. The first one is the transition from renewal pruning (Vertical Axis) to the free growing fruiting branch (Solaxe), to better control the balance between vegetative growth and fruiting. The second one is the use of the extinction procedure (Centrifugal training concept) to optimize light distribution in the tree, fruit color and return-bloom.
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