Spring crop management

August 2015 | John Wilton, AgFirst | Australian Fruitgrower article

This spring-management article focuses on the period when growers establish the foundations for yield and fruit quality. It links flowering, crop load, nutrition, canopy light and chemical thinning with the performance of the block through harvest and into the following season.

The practical message is to act early: assess blossom and fruit-set potential, maintain balanced tree vigour and use crop-load management to protect fruit size, colour and return bloom. The article fits the Future Orchards® approach of managing orchards to measurable market and profitability targets rather than reacting late in the season.