Impact of summer NAA on return bloom in Red Fuji

2017 | Future Orchards® trial, Batlow | Kevin Dodds, NSW DPI

This Future Orchards® trial investigates whether summer applications of NAA can improve return bloom in Red Fuji, a cultivar well known for biennial-bearing risk. The work builds on the concept that manipulating hormonal signals during flower-bud initiation may help reduce the severity of the “on” and “off” year cycle.

The paired interim report and presentation document the trial approach and field observations in Batlow. Treatments were compared with untreated trees so that the effect of summer NAA on subsequent flowering could be assessed under commercial orchard conditions.

The resource is most useful as a demonstration of how return-bloom management can be tested locally. It reinforces that responses to PGRs need to be interpreted alongside crop load, timing, seasonal conditions and cultivar behaviour, and that repeated local trials are important before a treatment becomes standard practice.