The Effect of Partial Defoliation at Different Times in the Season on Fruit Drop and Shoot Growth in Lord Lambourne Apple Trees |
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| Authors: | F W M Llewelyn |
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| Institution: | East Mailing Research Station, Kent |
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| Abstract: | Six-branched trees were deblossomed on alternate branches and various defoliation treatments given. For the period of 7 to 30 days from the time of treatment, defoliations increased the compound-interest rates of fruit drop. After this period these rates of drop became equal to those of untreated trees and the relative differences in crop numbers established by this time persisted until harvest though the actual numbers still fell. The earlier in the season that the defoliations were applied the greater were the relative differences. The removal of spur leaves from branches bearing fruit caused greater drop than the removal of spur leaves from neighbouring deblossomed branches. The removal of leaves from extension and bourse shoots of fruiting or deblossomed branches had no significant effect upon fruit drop or shoot growth.The removal of all flowers from alternate branches at mouse-ear caused more shoots to grow from these branches than from branches allowed to fruit. Removal, at pink bud, of spur leaves from either fruiting or non-fruiting branches increased the number of shoots on both branches, but removal deferred till later in the season had no effect. |
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