Chemical alternatives for cost-effective apple crop load management
Author: Jim McFerson
Published: 2004
Summary: The objectives of this project were: • Evaluate pre-bloom, bloom, and post-bloom chemical thinning agents with particular focus on complete programs to achieve three goals: 1. Minimize costs of green fruitlet thinning 2. Maximize fruit quality 3. Encourage annual bearing • Improve understanding of mechanisms and physiology of thinning agents utilizing whole and partial canopy photosynthetic analysis • Analyze financial impacts of thinning programs using commercial warehouse packouts for large trials • Utilize greenhouse crabapple program as model system for material screening and physiological work • Expand collaborative efforts with other research programs
