Control of premature fruit drop in Macadamia integrifolia: effects of naphthalene acetic acid application, cincturing, and shoot-tip removal

Abstract

The effects of NAA application, cincturing and shoot-tip removal on the incidence of premature fruit drop were investigated in orchard-grown trees of Macadamia integrifolia cv. Kakea. A single, post-anthesis application of NAA (1 ppm) increased (P < 0.05) the final set of macadamia fruit by 35%. Limb cincturing combined with shoot-tip removal increased (P < 0.05) initial fruit set and possibly final set. Cincturing alone was less effective and shoot-tip removal had no effect alone.