Precision crop load management without chemicals using Artificial Spur Extinction

2017-08-01 | Written by Sally Bound, Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture | Future Orchards® research update

Artificial Spur Extinction (ASE) is a crop-load management method that uses bud thinning to define where and how much fruit is set on each limb. Sally Bound describes research into using the approach in Gala and Fuji as an alternative to relying primarily on bloom and post-bloom chemical thinning followed by hand thinning.

ASE aims to strengthen the remaining floral spurs, improve fruit quality and promote regular cropping. By setting bud density before bloom, growers can manage potential fruit number earlier and with greater spatial precision than is possible when waiting for chemical thinning responses.

The research was designed to test whether ASE could reduce extreme biennial bearing and the need for chemical thinning without sacrificing yield or fruit quality. It reflects a broader move toward crop-load systems that use tree architecture and physiology to make production more predictable.

For growers, the approach requires good pruning discipline and accurate target setting, but it offers the potential for simpler downstream thinning and more consistent fruit size and quality.