Further studies on the use of 2-chloroethyl-phosphonic acid (ethephon) as a thinning agent for apples

Abstract

In a series of experiments the growth regulator 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid (ethephon) at concentrations from 50 ppm to 400 ppm was applied at various stages during and after flowering to apple cultivars Golden Delicious, Gravenstein, Jonathan, Richared and Starkrimson. On the heavy setting Golden Delicious, Gravenstein and Jonathan cultivars, adequate thinning and satisfactory fruit size was obtained when ethephon at 100 ppm was applied at or shortly after full bloom, followed by naphthalene acetic acid. On the lighter setting Richared and Starkrimson cultivars, one ethephon spray at 100 ppm applied at or shortly after full bloom resulted in adequate thinning. All fruit were eliminated on Jonathan, Richared and Gravenstein cultivars when ethephon was applied at 400 ppm, 300 ppm and 200 ppm, 36, 35 and 42 days after full bloom, respectively.