Apple Crop Load Management with Special Focus on Early Thinning Strategies

Kon, Thomas M.; Schupp, James R.

doi:10.1002/9781119521082.ch6

Cited by 13 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 146 publications

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“…This system combined a stereo camera with software for real-time determination of flower density with a mobile geographic information system with a decision support tool to calculate optimum thinning intensity based on current flower density and a mechanical thinning unit controlled in real time. A vision system that estimates blossom density and adjusts spindle rotational speed is now commercially available (SmaArt; Fruit-Tec, Markdorf, Germany) [29].…”

Section: Mechanical Thinningmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…High re-registration costs have also played a role in deregistration of some thinning chemicals in many countries, while others have been de-registered in several counties due to their negative effects on the environment [7]. Some chemicals, such as acetic acid, have shown good efficacy but have not been commercialised due to lack of proprietary exclusivity and cost of new chemical development [29].…”

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confidence: 99%

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Managing Crop Load in European Pear (Pyrus communis L.)—A Review

Bound

2021

Agriculture

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Reducing levels of fruit set is often desirable in many European pear (Pyrus communis L.) cultivars. With a negative linear relationship between crop load and fruit size, crop load management early in the season minimises wastage of tree carbohydrate resources and provides maximum benefits in terms of fruit size and quality. There are several tools available for managing crop load including hand thinning, chemical thinning, photosynthetic inhibition through shading or application of chemicals, mechanical thinning and pruning. While hand thinning is the most accurate method of reducing excessive crop loads, there are some major drawbacks. With awareness that the early thinning offered by chemical thinning provides distinct advantages with regard to fruit size and other quality parameters, chemical thinning is gaining increasing acceptance in pear production. Some chemicals are used worldwide for thinning, but there are differences between countries and growing regions on recommended application timing and concentrations. The risks involved in chemical thinning can be mitigated by use of a structured approach, using a sequential spray program with both bloom and post-bloom thinners. Knowledge of conditions that impact the carbon balance of the tree and the ability to make use of carbon-deficit conditions are likely to improve the predictability of chemical thinning. Mechanical thinning has potential as a thinning tool, with advantages over chemical thinning in that it is environmentally friendly, can be used in organic production and is not weather dependent. Although artificial bud extinction has not been trialled on pears to date, it has been shown to be economically viable in apple. As it is a precision crop load management method that minimises tree resource wastage, it should be given serious consideration. As growers require large annual yields of high-quality fruit, the aim of this review was to examine current and potential crop load management methods for European pear cultivars and provide a portfolio of available options that can be integrated into a systematic approach for managing crop load.

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Section: Mechanical Thinningmentioning

confidence: 99%

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confidence: 99%

Managing Crop Load in European Pear (Pyrus communis L.)—A Review

Bound

2021

Agriculture

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“…oranges, lemons, and mandarins) and nuts (e.g. pistachio, pecan, and walnuts) are typical alternate bearing crops [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9] that generally show dominant period-two cycle synchronisation. Masting is also a prevalent synchronisation among tree species in which there are multiple and mixed cycles (i.e.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial Phase Synchronisation of Pistachio Alternate Bearing

Sakai

Brown

Rosenstock

et al. 2021

Preprint

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Nonlinear physics and agroecosystems can be of great relevance in the synchronisations of chaotic oscillators. The endogenous dynamics of the seed production of perennial plant species which include alternate bearing and masting, portray typical synchronisation patterns in nature and can be modelled using a tent map known as a resource budget model (RBM). This study investigates the collective rhythm in 9,562 pistachio trees caused by their endogenous network dynamics and exogenous forces (common noise). Common noise and a local coupling of RBMs are the two primary factors emerging from the bearing phase synchronisation in this orchard. The in-phase/out-of-phase analysis technique quantifying the strength of the phase synchronisation in trees (population /individual) allows us to study the observed spatial synchrony in detail. We demonstrate how three essential factors, i.e. (a) common noise, (b) local direct coupling, and (c) the gradient of the cropping coefficient, explain the spatial synchrony of the orchard. Here, we also show that the methodology employing nonlinear physics to study agroecological systems can be useful for resolving practical problems in agriculture including yield variability and spatial synchrony which often compromise efficient resource management.

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“…When fruit trees produce more flowers and fruits, the size and quality of fruit are reduced. Hence, thinning is necessary to reduce crop load and increase the market value of tree crops [1][2][3][4]. Thinning promotes bloom again in the following season in some orchard trees, such as apples and plums [4,5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Hence, thinning is necessary to reduce crop load and increase the market value of tree crops [1][2][3][4]. Thinning promotes bloom again in the following season in some orchard trees, such as apples and plums [4,5]. Thinning methods have been developed using hand, mechanical, and chemical methods [1,5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Efficacy of an Eco-Friendly Bloom Thinning Formulation on Mango Trees and Its Olfactory Effect on an Insect Pollinator, Apis mellifera

et al. 2021

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In various orchard fruit trees, thinning of blossoms and fruits is important to increase fruit size and quality and to promote a new bloom in the following season. Several chemical thinning agents are currently commercially available, but they are inconsistent and produce side effects in crop plants and insect pollinators. Because of environmental concerns, developing alternative eco-friendly bloom thinning agents is necessary. We developed an eco-friendly bloom thinning formulation (BTF) using minerals and extracts of various medicinal plants. Our BTF spray (0.1%, <i>w/v</i>) decreased the number of fruits per tree (46.5%) and fruit yield per tree (81.5%) but increased the fruit weight (196.8%) compared with the control treatment; the spray induced a small number of larger mango fruits in the treated trees. We also investigated the effect of BTF on the olfactory behavior of <i>Apis mellifera</i> L. (Hymenoptera, Apidae), a major insect pollinator. We analyzed the behavioral changes of adult workers at two different concentrations (0.1% and 1%) of nine different BTF spray components using a Y-tube olfactometer. The behavioral responses of honey bees to nine BTF components showed significant differences. However, honey bees showed no clear attraction or repellent behavior towards the tested BTF components. Our results suggest that the newly developed eco-friendly BTF is practically applicable in mango orchards without interrupting honey bee behavior.

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Apple Crop Load Management with Special Focus on Early Thinning Strategies

Cited by 13 publications

References 146 publications

Managing Crop Load in European Pear (Pyrus communis L.)—A Review

Managing Crop Load in European Pear (Pyrus communis L.)—A Review

Spatial Phase Synchronisation of Pistachio Alternate Bearing

Efficacy of an Eco-Friendly Bloom Thinning Formulation on Mango Trees and Its Olfactory Effect on an Insect Pollinator, Apis mellifera

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