Fruit Bites for April 12-14 Accede Pt 1

BL: Welcome back to another “Fruit Bites” brought to you by Valent U.S.A. With us again is Valent’s Allison Walston. And this week Allison, we are asking “to thin or not to thin” apples, and a new tool called Accede (ah-seed)

AW: First remember back to last year’s bloom and fruit set, heavy or light? Are your apples alternate bearing? How is this year’s return bloom looking? So, let’s conclude that you’re going to thin, use a similar program as previous years, but wish you had one extra chance to take about 10-20% more fruit off.

BL: So, that’s where Accede fits into the thinning program?

AW: Yes, Accede targets the 15 to 18mm apple fruitlets. Take off some more fruit and make hand thinning faster and easier. Accede contains a naturally occurring non-protein amino acid which is the precursor to ethylene. The ethylene accelerates fruit drop by signaling seed abortion and activates the abscission zone at the base of the fruitlet.

BL: Well, thanks Allison. Join us again next time for Fruit Bites, brought to you by Valent. Until then, I’m Bob Larson.