Apples
Apples, fruit of the domesticated tree Malus domestica (family Rosaceae), are one of the most widely cultivated tree fruits. The apple is a pome fruit, in which the ripened ovary and surrounding tissue both become fleshy and edible. In the US, there are 2,500 varieties of apples are grown. Around the world, there are 7,500 varieties of apples grown, while commercially, only 100 varieties of the most widely consumed apples are grown in the US. The crabapple is the only type of apple native to North America.
Fruit Set
Fruit set is categorized as the critical transition period shortly after fertilization as plant processes switch over to fruit formation and growth. A successful fruit set is integral to a healthy crop at harvest. This process can be improved with the addition of Cytokin® at key timings. Cytokin® contains plant growth hormones responsible for cell division, cell enlargement, and various other plant growth functions. The nature-based plant growth regulator effects help to maximize conditions necessary for fruit set and early fruit development.
Heat Stress
Heat stress can impact the overall health of your crop in several ways. The primary method however is through the prevention of moisture loss via transpiration. Vapor Gard® forms a soft, microscopic film over the leaf and plant surface that reduces the loss of water vapor. This film does not significantly interfere with photosynthesis, allowing the plant to continue to productively function under adverse conditions.
Sun Scald
Sunlight, while a necessary part of photosynthesis and healthy plant growth, can also have damaging effects on crop quality. When crop canopies are suddenly opened, sometimes because of disease or harvesting practices, exposed fruit can be damaged by sun scald. Reflections® can not only serve as a calcium supplement, but also a reflectant. This allows for reduced rates of sun damage and a protection of the quality of fruit harvested.
Fireblight
Fireblight is the result of a bacterium known as Erwinia amylovora. Along with cultural practices that can be effective at mitigating symptoms and spreads, some contact pesticides can be effective. Depending upon the chemistry selected, fireblight control chemistries may benefit from extended contact with the bacteria that are responsible for blossom or shoot blight symptoms. The addition of Nu-Film-P® may help with both deposition and retention of pesticides on the leaf surface.
Fruit Expansion
During fruit expansion, there is an ever-increasing amount of both the size of plant cells as well as the volume of plant cells. With these increases occurring, critical nutrients are necessary to strengthen the developing cells. Cell Force® Max delivers multiple different key nutrients, such as calcium, for healthy and productive fruit expansion.
