Partial Flower Thinning Increases Shoot Growth, Fruit Size, and Subsequent Flower Formation of Peach

Abstract

<jats:p>Partial thinning of peach (<jats:italic>Prunus persica</jats:italic> L. Batsch) during bloom to 50% of the necessary level by hand, and followed by adjustment hand thinning at 42 days after full bloom (DAFB) was compared to a similar degree of thinning accomplished entirely at 42 DAFB by hand. Partial flower thinning altered the distribution of fruit by diameter, increasing the percentage of large diameter (≥62.0 mm) fruit harvested compared to unthinned trees or trees thinned entirely at 42 DAFB. Although shoot number per limb was not altered by thinning time, the distribution of shoots by length was affected, increasing the percentage of long shoots (≥20.0 cm). Compared to unthinned trees and trees thinned at 42 DAFB, partial flower thinning increased the subsequent development of flower buds per shoot and the number of flower buds per node. Number of flower buds on the proximal five nodes of shoots 15.0-30.0 cm in length was increased, although not on shoots 5.0-7.0 cm in length. Additional trials established that airblast spray application of AMADS was effective in achieving a similar level of thinning as that accomplished by partial flower thinning by hand in previous experiments. The degree of flower removal exhibited a linear response to chemical concentration. Fruit diameter on chemically flower-thinned trees was greater at adjustment thinning time, when compared to trees thinned by hand at 42 DAFB only. Distribution of fruit at harvest indicated a larger percentage of fruit &gt;65.0 mm in trees which received partial flower thinning in comparison to trees thinned at 42 DAFB only. As a result, overall crop value was increased, based on the commercial processing peach price structure at the time of harvest. Chemical name used: 1-aminomethanamide dihydrogen tetraoxosulfate (AMADS)</jats:p>

Horizontal String Blossom Thinner Reduces Labor Input and Increases Fruit Size in Peach Trees Trained to Open-center Systems

“…While total yields were similar for all treatments in this trial, the yield of marketable fruit from string thinned trees was over three times that of the nonthinned trees and 25% greater than the yield of hand-thinned control trees, clearly illustrating the value of reducing the competition of developing fruitlets as early as possible. The increase in fruit size associated with blossom thinning is consistent with the findings of Myers et al (2002) and Fallahi et al (2006).…”

Ants in their plants:Pseudomyrmexants reduce primate, parrot and squirrel predation onMacrolobium acaciifolium(Fabaceae) seeds in Amazonian Brazil

“…Second, it indicates that the trees likely had the same initial crop sizes (because, when two plants of similar size are maturing fruits, the one with the lower number of fruits may end up producing larger individual fruits; e.g. Myers et al, 2002). Thus, observed selectivity is based either largely or solely on the presence/absence of the mutualistic P. viduus ants.…”

Blossom Thinning in Apple and Peach with an Essential Oil

“…Low concentrations of eugenol sprays may provide partial thinning that could be followed up with hand thinning. Partial removal of flowers at full bloom with follow-up hand thinning of small peaches at 42 DAFB increased fruit size at harvest compared with thinning at 42 DAFB alone (Myers et al, 2002). This strategy has been used to reduce costs and reliance on manual labor.…”

“…Thinning at bloom time results in larger fruit at harvest than achieved with the later hand thinning (Byers and Lyons, 1985). Removing 50% of peach flowers increased average size of the remaining fruit and increased overall crop value (Myers et al, 2002). Chemical thinning of peach flowers reduced the estimated cost of hand thinning up to $310 U.S. per ha (Southwick et al, 1995).…”