Regulation of fruit set in pears with plant growth regulators

2017 | Future Orchards® trial | Northern Victoria – Goulburn Valley | Contact: Julie Godwill

This Goulburn Valley trial investigated aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG) as a tool to improve pear fruit set. Pear set can be low and unpredictable, and previous research cited in the report had recorded increases in fruit set and yield from AVG treatments in commercial pear cultivars.

The local trial applied different concentrations of AVG to small groups of pear trees and followed fruit-set and harvest responses. The work was designed as a field demonstration to test whether overseas findings could translate to northern Victorian conditions.

The report is useful for growers exploring PGR options in pears because it documents both the biological rationale and the practical challenges of small commercial trials, including achieving appropriate spray volume and maintaining normal pest and disease programs while treatments are being assessed.