Because of general over-production, world apple markets have
become more and more competitive and volatile. The only way to
maximize returns is to improve grades, sizes and yields. Every
grower has room to improve in this regard.
The impact of grade and size on returns is often underestimated.
It does not take much analysis of packing house returns to observe
the big difference in returns between grades and sizes.
The main reasons for downgrading are bruising, lack of colour and
small size. However, downgrading also occurs because of blemishes,
poor shape, russet and sunburn.
The following table lists the reasons for downgrading, the causes
and the solutions. Take the time to study your pack-outs to
determine the reasons for downgrading, and take steps to improve
grades and returns.
Improve Returns by Improving Grades
|
| REASON FOR GRADE LOSS |
MAIN CAUSES |
SOLUTION |
Poor colour
(Colour picking several times usually results in
higher pack-outs) |
-excessive vigor; too much nitrogen
or water. |
-Reduce or eliminate N; don't
overprune; improve irrigation scheduling. |
| -shading |
-Improve light conditions by
improved dormant pruning
-Summer prune in August; don't overdo; remove upright shoots
and suckers interfering with light penetration. |
| -old, weak fruit spurs |
-Thin out and/or remove old spurs. |
| -old trees and strains |
-Plant new varieties and strains. |
| -warm temperatures prior to harvest |
-Misting or overhead watering may
help. |
| Small Size |
-low vigor |
-Treat for nutrient and pH
problems as per leaf and soil analysis. |
| -inadequate thinning (too many
apples) |
-Blossom thin
-Hormone thin
-Hand thin by size and quality. |
| -cool weather following blossom |
-Heavier thinning |
| -poor pollination |
-Plant more pollenizers or use
pollen inserts or bouquets.
-Use bees |
| -shading |
-Improve light conditions by
pruning. |
| -old, weak fruit spurs |
-Thin out and/or remove old spurs. |
| Bruising |
-poor harvesting and handling
practices |
-Pick at proper maturity and handle
fruit carefully at all times; thoroughly instruct (occurs when
picking, pickers about proper hauling and packing) harvesting
practices; supervise carefully; smooth out orchard roadways
and drive smoothly. |
| -low fruit calcium |
-Apply calcium sprays. |
| -excessive vigor |
-Reduce or eliminate nitrogen;
don't overprune. |
| -excessive water |
-Improve irrigation scheduling. |
| Blemishes |
-pests, diseases |
-Use a suitable spray program.
-Remove damaged fruit when hand-thinning. |
| -limb rubbing |
-Remove upright fruiting wood and
remove and crotches.
-Remove damaged fruit when hand-thinning. |
-disorders
(i.e.,bitter pit) |
-Maintain desirable tree vigor
-Avoid heading cuts when pruning.
-Apply calcium sprays.
-Summer prune in August, but do not overdo.
-Remove upright shoots and suckers that are interfering with
light penetration. |
Poor Shape
(Promalin improves shape and typiness of Red Delicious) |
-poor pollination |
-Ensure adequate pollinizers, or
use pollen inserts or bouquets.
-Use bees. |
| -boron deficiency |
-Maintain boron levels.
-Remove undesirable fruit when hand-thinning. |
| Russett |
-cold weather |
-Avoid planting in cold pockets. |
| -sprayer injury (too much wind
velocity) |
-Reduce wind velocity, especially
in narrow plantings. |
| -spray injury |
-Do not apply under slow drying or
hot conditions; check compatibility. |
| -powdery mildew |
-Use a suitable spray program. |
| Sunburn |
-low vigor; not enough leaf cover |
-Increase vigor to desirable level
by following results from leaf analysis. |
| -over-cropping |
-Improve fruit thinning. |
| -excessive summer pruning |
-Use moderate level of summer
pruning. |
| -early summer pruning |
-Delay summer pruning until August. |
| -shifting limbs |
-Stiffen limbs by gradually pruning
back to older wood; tie or prop limbs, but if doing during the
season, do it early so as not to change position of limb. |
| -exposed bins at harvest |
-Place bins in shade. |
| -drought |
-Maintain desirable level of soil
moisture. |
