Growth and crop load management in apple trees with bioregulators
Author: Don C. Elfving
Published: 2004
Summary: The objectives of this project were: 1. Determine how to control an Apogee-induced second shoot growth flush in midsummer using Apogee applications at or near the time of the start of that flush. Evaluate rates, timings and number of applications for effects on control of a second growth flush. 2. Evaluate the efficacy of cyclanilide, alone or in combination with other bioregulators, for the induction of branching of various apple cultivars under orchard conditions. 3. Determine whether commercially available gibberellic acid formulations containing GA4 and GA7 can be used in conjunction with conventional thinning practices to reduce or overcome alternate bearing in difficult apple cultivars such as ‘Fuji’ by means of controlling flower initiation in the “off” season. Evaluate GA rates and timings on return bloom in the “on” year and assess the economic potential for such treatments to suppress alternate cropping.
