Fruit size and leader extension monitoring

November 2016 update | Prepared by AgFirst | Future Orchards® monitoring guide, first published December 2012

This Future Orchards® guide from AgFirst brings together two practical measurements that help growers manage both the current crop and future canopy development: fruit size monitoring and leader extension monitoring.

Fruit size monitoring allows a block to be compared with a target growth curve through the season. Repeated measurements show whether fruit is tracking toward the desired harvest size and can prompt a review of crop load, irrigation, nutrition or other limiting factors while there is still time to respond.

Leader extension monitoring provides a simple indicator of vegetative growth. In young orchards it helps assess whether trees are filling their allotted space quickly enough, while in bearing blocks it can highlight excessive or inadequate vigour. Recording these measurements consistently makes seasonal and block-to-block comparisons more meaningful.

The guide supports objective orchard management: measure, compare with a target, investigate departures and adjust management where practical.