An innovative approach to thinning peaches for improved labour efficiencies, fruit quality and orchard economics

Lead Applicant: John Cline

Research Priority: Competitive Production Systems

Program Type: Tier 1

Funding Cycle: 2021/2022

Research Centre: Ontario Crops Research Centre - Simcoe

Research Summary: Peach and nectarine trees often produce an excessive amount of fruit early in the growing season that results in small and unmarketable at harvest. Orchardists manually thin fruit by hand to ensure the remaining fruit is of commercial size and quality, however, this practice is labour demanding and intensive, time sensitive, and costly. This study will investigate the use of a novel compound 1-ACC to chemically remove fruit early and reducing the need for hand thinning, saving growers time, labour cost, and increasing orchard profitability.