A new Rutgers University website has just been launched, which provides weekly reports on the progression of apple maturity in Northern and Central New Jersey.  The data in these reports is intended to aid New Jersey apple growers in deciding the optimal time to harvest apples in their commercial orchards.  Please check out the website (see link below) and be sure to subscribe to receive the weekly reports in your inbox!

https://njapplematurity.rutgers.edu/

 

Now is the Time to Consider Applying…

Stop Drop PGRs for Early/Mid-Season Apples

As apples mature they produce the hormone ethylene.  Ethylene induces stem loosening which results in pre-harvest drop of apples.

Luckily there are several tools that when applied at optimal times can aid in the management of pre-harvest drop of apples.

*Prior to the application of any product though, remember to read and follow the product label, because the label is the law.

 

ReTain 

Active Ingredient: AVG (aminoethoxyvinylglycine)

This product slows starch disappearance, fruit softening, stem loosening and red color development.

These benefits result in:

Expansion of the harvest window by minimizing pre-harvest drop and retaining fruit firmness.

Enhancement of fruit size since fruit are given more time to hang onto the tree.

Color enhancement due to exposure to improved weather for fruit coloring (warm sunny days and cool nights).

Application Timing: For maximum efficacy ReTain must be applied 4 weeks prior to harvest.

Single Pick Varieties

For single pick early season varieties, establish the ‘usual’ harvest time for the variety, and if the season is running early adjust the date earlier (accordingly).  Once an accurate estimated harvest date is established count back four weeks.  This timepoint plus 7 days is the spray window for ReTain for that variety.

Calculate the spray timing for later season, single pick varieties in a similar way.  However, later varieties generally do not need harvest date adjustment due to seasonal variation in the same way early season varieties do.

Multiple Pick Varieties i.e. Gala and Honeycrisp

Spray timing for these varieties is 7 to 14 days prior to harvest/first pick.  Note that ReTain will not effect the first harvest/pick but will provide stop drop control for later season picks.

Variety Response to ReTain and Rate:

*When applying ReTain be sure to include 100% Organosilicate surfactant @ 12 ounces/100 gallons.

*Ensure there will be 6 hours of drying time after the application.

 

Harvista

Active Ingredient: 1-MCP (1-Methylcyclopropene)

Much like ReTain this product slows starch disappearance, fruit softening, red color development and pre-harvest drop.

It should be applied within 3 days prior to harvest, much closer to the time of harvest than a ReTain application.

This product is a bit more complicated to use in that it must be applied via a proprietary in-line injector system.

NAA (Multiple Formulations)

Active Ingredient: NAA (naphthaleneacetic acid)

This product provides what is considered a rescue treatment for control of fruit drop.

Application Timing: Optimum timing of spray is a couple days prior to harvest.

One application of 10 ppm NAA will provide 7-10 days of drop control.

A two part spray of 10 ppm, one a couple days prior to harvest and a second 5 days later will provide 10-14 days of drop control.

Keep it mind it takes ~2-3 days for the sprays to take effect.

*Apply with a nonionic or organosilicate surfactant.

*Spray when the temperatures are in the mid 70’s.  If the temperature is too hot, fruit ripening can be accelerated.

 

For additional details on utilizing plant growth regulators for harvest management read:

Apple PGRs – Prevention of Preharvest Drop in Apple Orchards – Production and Harvesting – Fruit – Forage and Food Crops (psu.edu)