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Resources by W. Chester Allen

Title Available As Summary Date ID Author
Chemical Blossom Thinning in Virginia Apple Orchards Feb 11, 2019 SPES-110NP
Crop Load Management in Commercial Apple Orchards: Chemical Fruit Thinning
Chemical fruit thinning is commonly practiced in commercial apple orchards to manage and regulate the number of fruit per tree (crop load), which improves fruit quality and production. In this management practice, growers typically apply several sprays of chemical thinners to orchard blocks in the spring when the fruit is small and just beginning to develop. These thinning spray applications result in the abscission, or detachment, of some of the fruit. This intentional fruit abscission or shedding is commonly referred to as “thinning.”
Oct 1, 2024 SPES-134P